Jim Forbes has provided us with the September and up-to-date 2014 weather stats.

Jim said the high temperature for the month was 96 degrees on Sept. 11, and the low was 53 degrees on Sept. 24.

As for rainfall, Jim recorded 2.20 inches, which is almost an inch-and-a-half below the monthly average of 3.65 inches. Most of that rainfall for the month was recorded on Sept. 12 when 1.86 inches was received.

Year-to-date, there has been 34.85 inches of rain, which is some 3.50 inches below the yearly average for Center.

Arrest Report

9/29/14--9/30/14

Shelby County:

Jonas Dewaun Goodwin, 29, Center, Criminal Trespass

Adrian Hubbard, 22, Center, Possession of Marijuana in a Drug Free Zone

Daniel Gay, 27, Conroe, Kenedy County Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Possession of Marijuana

Brian Chase, 32, Bridge City, Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Theft

San Augustine County:

Remonica Cotton, 33, San Augustine, Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct & Robbery

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

An evidentiary or “Spears” hearing was held in Lufkin Federal Court last Friday in regards to the lawsuit against Timpson Mayor Debra Smith brought by Councilman George Grace claiming voter discrepancies.

Grace alleges there were seven votes cast in the May election that were not legal. He lost the election to Ms. Smith, 128-64.

U.S. Magistrate Zack Hawthorn advised Grace, who filed a handwritten suit and was representing himself in the matter, that he may have filed the suit in the wrong court since it did not deal with U.S. Constitutional matters. He gave the plaintiff 30-days to get an attorney, and either change his pleading to fit the court, or change the court to meet his pleading.

During the 20 to 30 minutes of sworn testimony, Grace reportedly made an attempt to change the angle on his original claim saying the voting clerks at city hall may have felt their jobs were in jeopardy at the hands of Mayor Smith if they didn’t allow the seven questioned voters to vote.

Grace was unavailable for comment.

A Joaquin man escaped serious injury last Saturday morning after leaving the roadway at the rail road overpass in Joaquin and rolling his Chevrolet Silverado pickup down the embankment.

DPS Trooper Jade Lavergne says 79-year old Tommy Lawson was taken to ETMC in Carthage for treatment of injuries. It’s reported emergency personnel received a 911 call around 2 a.m. notifying of the crash east of the State Hwy 7 and U.S. Hwy. 84 intersection, very near the railroad tracks.

Lawson was responsive in the vehicle when authorities arrived.

The Timpson Police Department arrested two individuals on drug charges last weekend in separate incidents.

Officer Robert Hairgrove tells us 27-year old Justin Haessly of Tenaha was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Dangerous Drug after he was taken into custody displaying drugs underneath the gazebo on the Timpson Park Plaza.

Officer Hairgrove said he became suspicious of Haessly, who was lying on a picnic table around 11 a.m. Saturday morning with an undisclosed pain medication and meth in plain site.

Also, 30-year old Mindi Ducharme of Timpson was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop near U.S. Hwy 59 revealed she was in possession of Morphine pills, and told Officer Hairgrove before arriving at the sheriff’s office for processing, that she had a bag of meth concealed on her body.

Ducharme was released on a private recognizance bond, while Haessly remains in the Shelby County Jail.

Want to vote in the Nov. 4 General Election and not registered, you have until next Monday, Oct.6 to do so.

There are a number of state-wide offices such as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general among others to be decided. Plus, a county-wide race in Shelby and San Augustine Counties for 273rd district judge, county judge in San Augustine County, district-wide for State Senator Dist. 3, and for Shelby County Commissioner Pct. 2; Shelby County Justice of the Peace Pcts. 1, 2 & 5, and a Center City Council position for Place 2. In addition, Center ISD Board of Trustees has four positions to be elected.

Also, the San Augustine City Council where all four seats are contested, and four positions on the San Augustine ISD Board are up for election. So, it's a busy political season heading into the next six weeks.

The first day of early voting is Oct. 20 and will continue thru Oct. 31.

To register to vote in Shelby County, go to Voter Registrar Debora Riley's office in the courthouse, and in San Augustine County, you would see Election Administrator Deborah Woods.

Center Broadcasting's Political Calendar has started airing. Candidates interested in participating we ask to come by the station.

The Timpson City Council will have a special meeting at 5 p.m. this afternoon, and among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be the bid proposal minimum on city property, formerly the Cobb Lumber; and the 2014-15 cost of living adjustment for city employees and Christmas compensation.

A San Augustine County author has had her first book published. Amazing Grace Williams of Broaddus announces the nationwide release of her book, "The Captive Saga," a heart-pounding tale of bondage and rescue.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, and from the publisher at tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting any other major online distributor.

In "The Captive Saga," Aubrey Whitton sees a bright future ahead of her as she waits for her train ride home. However, a gang of robbers interrupts her dreams of home by kidnapping her and the secret she carries. As Aubrey loses hope, she wonders: Will she be rescued? When Sheriff Breu Lawrence hears about the train robbery and kidnapping, he immediately gets on the case. With his faith in God, will be be able to rescue Aubrey before it's too late, or will his own secret fail him in his search?

Ms. Williams lives in Broaddus with her husband and their two children. 

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary are seeking entries for their 2015 Citizenship Education Teacher Awards, Grades K-12. 

The VFW wants to identify and recognize America's best educators who instill a sense of national pride in students.  Teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism are prime candidates for this award.

The first step is to fill out the nomination form and in 350 words or less describe why you feel your nominee should be selected. 

Your nomination is due to Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Quartermaster by November 1.

Call Larry Hume at 598-2976 to have an entry form emailed to you or stop by Chief Imaging, 614 Tenaha St., Center to pick up a copy.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 56-year old Billy Van Hairgrove of Center. He passed away Sunday at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Watson & Sons Chapel with interment at Buena Vista Cemetery, Shelby County. Among Billy Van Hairgrove’s survivors is his wife, Janet Hairgrove of Center; son, Joel Ethan Hairgrove of Center; sisters, Becky Jordan of Center and Beth Cassell and husband, David of Center; and brother, Bobby Hairgrove and wife Carol of Henderson.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 78-year old Charles Ray Davis of the Neuville Community. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. this morning at Neuville Baptist Church, with burial at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery. He retired from Tyson after many years. Among Charles Ray Davis survivors are his wife, Billie Eaves Davis of Center; daughters, Linda Masoud of Humble, Ginger Little of Conroe and Tonya Walker of Conroe; step-children, Kathy Ford of Bronson, Debbie Loftin of Joaquin and Marty McDaniel of Joaquin; sisters, Elizabeth Chaney and Ruth Mullins, both of Ben Wheeler, Pearlene Purkey of Mineola, Martha Liebel of Fruitvale and Ann Aldridge of Lubbock; half-sister, Opal Kemp of Oklahoma; and half-brother, Fred Davis of Oklahoma.

Taylor Funeral Home of Timpson announces service for 73-year old James Harold Milford of Longview. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Taylor Funeral Home Chapel with interment at Corinth Cemetery, Timpson. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Taylor Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James H. Milford Memorial Fund, Chase Bank, (account #3045130985).

Garrison Funeral Home announces the death of 67-year old Connie L. Williams of Garrison. She passed away Saturday at Nacogdoches Medical Center. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Among Connie L. Williams’ survivors are husband, David Williams of Garrison; Children, Glen, Sherry, Stephanie, Richard, Crystal, Audrey & Carpri; brother, Bobby; sisters, Glena, Patty, Becky & Gay; and step-father, Ed Moats

Community Funeral Home of Center announces pending service for 66-year old Miss Gloria Jean King of the East Liberty Community. She passed away Saturday night at her residence.

It’s Tuesday, and Don Wall’s Shelby County Coaches’ Show airs tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. on Q-100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

As expected, the Tenaha Tigers took a drop in the AP Texas High School Football Rankings released Monday. Tenaha is outside the Top 10 for the first time this season at No. 11, as Alto jumps six spots to No. 9 after their win over the Tigers. The Shelbyville Dragons are making some noise across the state as their 4-0 record has them coming in at No. 15 this week in the Class 2A poll. Refugio and Mart still hold down the top-two spots. In Class 3A, Cisco’s still No. 1, with Corrigan-Camden up a spot to No. 4, Kirbyville at No. 6, Waskom No. 9th, and Arp 14th Navasota still sits atop the 4A rankings, with Gilmer No. 3, Center district opponents Gladewater at 11^th, Atlanta 12^th,  and Tatum No. 20. In 5A, it’s Aledo at No. 1, with John Tyler 5^th, Lufkin at 9^th after losing to Nacogdoches, and speaking of the Golden Dragons, they’re No. 15 this week. Allen remains No. 1 in 6A.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has Tenaha falling from No. 1 to No. 9 this week in Class 2A Div. II. Bremond is the new No. 1 team in the poll, while Alto is No. 3 in the Div. I rankings.

Not much high school football action at all this Friday, as most local teams have open dates before the start of district. The only scheduled game in Shelby County has the Joaquin Rams at the Timpson Bears. This will be our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB. The Center Roughriders will kick-off Dist. 6 4-A, Div. II at Spring Hill on Oct. 10, the Shelbyville Dragons start district hosting Joaquin next week, and the Tenaha Tigers begin district play at Maude Oct. 10. The San Augustine Wolves also have an off week and will have their district opener next week at West Sabine, and the Garrison Bulldogs are idle and will open district Oct. 10 at Hemphill. The Logansport Tigers travel to Ringgold this Friday night to open district.

There will be some sub-varsity football games Thursday.

The Center Middle School Roughriders will be playing two games against Rusk starting at 4:30 p.m. at Roughrider Stadium.

The Shelbyville Jr. High 7th & 8th grade Dragon teams will play San Augustine Thursday starting at 5 p.m. at Dragon Stadium. Meanwhile, the Dragon JV will play at Joaquin beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Also Thursday, Timpson Junior High will go to Joaquin Jr. High starting at 5:30 p.m.

In volleyball, the Lady Riders open district today at Huntington, while the Timpson Lady Bears are home to play Overton in a district match this afternoon.

Tenaha cross country runners attended the Zavalla Invitational on Wednesday, September 24th.  Carlos Bustamonte won the 4th place spot in the Varsity division out of 111 runners.  In the Jr. High boys division, there were 151 runners, and 7th grader Jesus Gonzales finished in 13th place, winning his first medal.  All the Varsity girls ran their personal best times, and Jr. High girls made significant gains.  The cross country runners will run in the Chicken Run 5K on Saturday, October 4^th in Center benefiting CASA of Deep East Texas. 

By the way, the 3^rd annual Chicken Run 5K Run/Walk Saturday morning will begin at 7 a.m. with the walk, followed by the run at 7:30 a.m. For questions contact Patty Watkins at 936-591-9553.

Arrest Report

9/26/14--9/29/14

Shelby County:

Leanne Jeanette Fox, 20, Timpson, Injury to a Child & Criminal Negligent Homicide. These charges were brought by the Shelby County Grand Jury recently following her indictment in connection to her toddler’s drowning death in a bath tub. She was released on a $50,000 bond.

Fernando Castellanos, 48, Texas City, Warrant-Fraudulent Use/Possession of an ID

Quinnon Gardner, 35, Center, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Possession of Marijuana

Kennon Ray Polley, 54, Center, Driving While Intoxicated-3^rd of More

Justin Haessly, 27, Tenaha, Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of a Dangerous Drug

Mindi Ducharme, 30, Timpson, Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of a Dangerous Drug

Dustin Carson, 23, Shelbyville, Driving While Intoxicated

Scott William Edel, 47, Lufkin, Harrison County Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Assault

Onaska Evans, 29, Center, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated

Jason Michael Samford, 26, Center, Warrant-Theft by Check

San Augustine County:

Otis Ray Hoyt, 52, San Augustine, Public Intoxication, Criminal Mischief, & Theft of Copper

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Center man lost his life in a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning.

According to DPS Communications in Lufkin, 78-year old Charles Ray Davis of the Neuville Community was pronounced dead at the scene.

DPS Trooper Jade Lavergne’s report says Davis was southbound on FM 417, some eight miles south of Center in a Dodge Ram half-ton pickup, when he left the roadway for unknown reason, struck a culvert and overturned just before 8 a.m.

Davis was pronounced dead at the scene by JP Pct. 1 Maxie Eaves.

Mangum Funeral Home is in charge of service for Charles Ray Davis at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Neuville Baptist Church.

Nacogdoches County officials continue to search for a missing elderly man last seen in the Cushing area last Wednesday afternoon.

In a press release, Sheriff Jason Bridges says 73-year old Ernest McBride was last seen at Western Hills store on FM 343 in Nacogdoches County. He was reported missing early last Thursday morning.

The sheriff said a forestry service tracking dog picked up McBride’s scent, and tracked it several hundred yards near the edge of the roadway, with officials believing he may have been picked up by a motorist and given a ride to an unknown location.

Sheriff Bridges says McBride may have Alzheimer’s, and is described as being 6-0, with brown eyes and brown hair, and was last seen wearing a black cowboy hat, blue striped shirt, denim jeans and black shoes.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office at 936-560-7777. 

 Ernest McBride

A San Augustine County man and woman were arrested last week in connection to allegation he used a stick or tree branch to whip his 7-year old niece, leaving visible bruises on her body.

San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Gary Cunningham says 32-year old Nicholas John Speer and 25-year old Lillie Catherine Fults, both of San Augustine, have been charged with injury to a child. Speer has also been charged with tampering with evidence, and Fults with tampering with a witness.

The incident occurred on Sept. 11, and reportedly resulted from the victim coming home with a “bad color” on her report card.

The little girl told a forensic interviewer she “whupped” by her uncle for being bad at school. Speer allegedly used a stick to whip the girl on her face, buttocks and thighs. Fultz is the child’s mother, and was charged because she did not intercede or stop her brother-in-law from beating the girl.

Child Protective Services notified the San Augustine Sheriff’s Office of the investigation. Cunningham said during the investigation Speer presented a small switch, but there was no way those injuries were caused by a little switch. That’s why he was charged with tampering with evidence.

Cunningham also added Fults was charged with tampering with a witness because she supposedly coached the little girl on what to say to authorities on how she got the injuries.

Both suspects remain in the San Augustine County Jail this morning, Speer on a $20,000 cash bond, and Fults on a $30,000 cash bond.

Nicholas Speer

Lillie Fults (photos courtesy of San Augustine County S.O.)

The East Texas Poultry Festival activities continued last Saturday night with the annual Queen’s Scholarship Pageant, and crowned the 2014 Queen was Zoey Stuever, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Greg Stuever, and escorted by Nathan Stuever. She was crowned by 2013 Queen, Macayla Perry.

First runner up was Princess Julia Garcia, with Princess Macy Mayo 2^nd runner up. Ten young ladies participated in the event.

Its East Texas Poultry Festival week in Shelby County as the 38^th edition rolls out Thursday thru Saturday in downtown Center.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday morning and sponsored by the Farmers State Bank. The program includes the “cutting of the feathers” by the 2014 Poultry Festival Queen & Court, presentations by local youngsters, followed by the opening of the food and arts & crafts booths.

The quilt show is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in the Historic Courthouse, and the photography show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Vision Source, next to the Rio Theatre.

The carnival will be operating, with arm bands $18 for all-u-can ride from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday. There’s also local entertainment throughout the festival.

For a complete three-day schedule of the East Texas Poultry Festival, go the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s website, shelbycountychamber.com.

Shelbyville, Timpson and San Augustine all crowned homecoming queens Friday night. Savannah Talbert was named Shelbyville’s Homecoming Queen; Kayla Hudman was crowned the Timpson Homecoming Queen, and Jada White was San Augustine’s Homecoming Queen.

Shelby County Outreach Ministries is inviting all Shelby County ministers to a special meeting at 6 p.m. this evening as a way to discuss some of the needs of the community and bring together the resources available. Outreach Ministries 

Shelby County Outreach Ministries' Executive Director Sherry Harding says tonight’s meeting is being held at the Center Senior Nutrition Site, Loop 500.

Ms. Harding says if you can attend, please call to confirm at 936-598-4990.

The Timpson ISD’s “Bears in the Sky” near space weather balloon flight project received a much needed boost recently as Devon Energy has signed on once again to sponsor the next flights during this school year.

Devon Energy partnered with “Bears in the Sky” last spring.

Also, the Nacogdoches Ham Radio Club has taken the offer to fly “piggy-back” with the next flight with their own submitted devices that will track and monitor from multiple sites in Nacogdoches.

Tentative dates for flights are early to mid December for NS 6, and NS 7 will launch in May 2015.

Roy Platt and Vernett Richardson are the sponsors of the innovative BITS program at Timpson ISD.

The Center High School Alumni Association is taking applications for the Alumni Hall of Honor for 2014. All nominations must be received by today in order the committee to make their selections. The Hall of Honor Award will be presented at the annual CHS Alumni Association Meeting, Sat. Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Windham Civic Center. Nominations should be sent to CHS Hall of Honor, P.O. Box 1622, Center.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 56-year old Billy Van Hairgrove of Center. He passed away Sunday in Nacogdoches. That’s pending service at Watson & Sons for Billy Van Hairgrove of Center.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 78-year old Charles Ray Davis of the Neuville Community. He passed away Sunday as a result of an automobile accident. Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Neuville Baptist Church, with burial at Spann’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Charles Davis’ survivors are his wife, Billie Davis of Center; and children, Ginger Little of Conroe, Linda Masoud of Pasadena, and Tonya Walker.

Taylor Funeral Home of Timpson announces service for 73-year old James Harold Milford of Longview. He passed away Thursday, September 25 in Longview. He was a 1960 graduate of Timpson High School and retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone and AT&T after 30-years. Service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Taylor Funeral Home Chapel, with interment at Corinth Cemetery, Timpson. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Taylor Funeral Home. Among James Harold Milford’s survivors are his wife, Jean Milford of Longview; three sons, Ricky, Tracy and Darren Milford, all of Longview; sister, Linda Askins of Timpson; and -in-law, Ken Ramsey and Howell Glen Hudson, both of Timpson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James H. Milford Memorial Fund, Chase Bank, (account #3045130985).

In last Friday’s high school football results, the Center Roughriders wrapped up non-district, losing to Hardin-Jefferson, 49-18, giving Center a 2-2 record heading into district. The Shelbyville Dragons are the lone undefeated team in the county, as they’re 4-0 after a 46-6 whipping of Queen City. The Joaquin Rams improve to 2-2 with a 36-6 win over Groveton. In a battle of two state-ranked teams, it was Alto besting Tenaha, 72-21, dropping the Tigers to 3-1. Timpson is 0-3 with a 35-14 loss to Lovelady, and San Augustine finishes non-district with a 57-6 victory against Hemphill. The Wolves are 2-2.

Saturday night, Marlin scores late to beat Garrison, 34-32 in Palestine to drop Garrison to 2-1, and Gilmer takes a 58-21 win over Carthage in Longview.

Elsewhere Friday, Logansport loses to Plain Dealing, 30-23, Nacogdoches has Lufkin’s number, 38-35 in a Dist. 16-5A opener, West Sabine over Deweyville, 40-20, Union Grove beats Beckville, 35-14, Chapel Hill over Tatum, 42-39, Hallsville defeats Marshall, 21-19, Henderson over Daingerfield, 49-7, Kilgore loses to Gladewater, 25-21, John Tyler upends Whitehouse, 52-17, Longview over Pine Tree, 66-13, Evadale hands Cushing their first loss, 27-21, Mt. Enterprise over Cross Roads, 62-14, Carlisle beats Overton, 41-6, and Atlanta takes Liberty Eylau, 56-27.

Week 6 football, there’s not much local action scheduled as most teams are in bye weeks before the start of district play. The only Shelby County teams playing are Joaquin and Timpson, and they happen to be playing one another Friday night in Timpson. That’ll be our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100, KQBB. Logansport will travel to Ringgold Friday night to open district in the only other local game.

The Center Roughriders have a bye before the start of district Oct. 10, the Shelbyville Dragons also have an open date and will kick-off district hosting Joaquin next week, and the Tenaha Tigers have an open date, before starting district play at Maude Oct. 10. The Joaquin Rams will travel to Timpson to play the Bears Friday night in the last non-district game for both. The San Augustine Wolves have an off week and will start district next week at West Sabine, and the Garrison Bulldogs are off and will open district Oct. 10 at Hemphill. The Logansport Tigers travel to Ringgold Friday night to open district.

Don Wall's Shelby County Coaches' Show will air from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening on Q-100, KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

In volleyball, the Lady Riders open district tomorrow at Huntington, while the Timpson Lady Bears are home to play Overton in a district match.

Finals

Center 12  Hardin-Jefferson 49

Queen City 6  Shelbyville 46

Alto 72  Tenaha 21

Groveton 6  Joaquin 36

Lovelady 35  Timpson 14

Hemphill 6  San Augustine 57

LA New Tech 30  Logansport 23

Deweyville 20  West Sabine 40

Lufkin 35  Nacogdoches 38

Union Grove 35  Beckville 14

Tatum 39  Chapel Hill 42

Hallsville 21  Marshall 19

Henderson 49  Daingerfield 7

Kilgore 21  Gladewater 25

John Tyler 52  Whitehouse 17

Longview 66  Pine Tree 13

Cushing 21  Evadale 27

Mt Enterprise 62  Cross Roads 14

Overton 6  Carlisle 41

Liberty Eylau 27  Atlanta 56

Tonight

Garrison vs. Marlin @ Palestine 6 p.m.

Carthage vs. Gilmer @ Longview 7:30 p.m.

Arrest Report

9/25/14--9/26/14

Shelby County:

Brian K. Sanders, 34, Center, Assault-Family Violence & Unlawful Restraint

Jeremy Edwards, 34, Center, Warrant-Speeding & Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Speeding

San Augustine County:

Nelson D. Rushing, 43, Broaddus, Theft of Service

Nicholas J. Speer, 32, Broaddus, Tampering with Evidence & Injury to a Child

Lillie C. Fults, 25, Broaddus, Two charges of Injury to a Child & Tampering with a Witness

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Louisiana woman was killed Thursday morning when she struck a tractor-trailer tanker rig head-on, five miles west of Joaquin, near FM 699 in Paxton.

DPS Communications Lufkin says the three-vehicle accident occurred around 10:45 a.m., with 50-year old Dana Bordelon Guilbeau of Simmesport, Louisiana, deceased at the scene.

DPS Corporal Jimmy Faulkner and Trooper Brady Stanaland report that Ms. Guilbeau was westbound in a 2012 Chevrolet half-ton pickup, on the wrong side of the road in a curve for unknown reason, when she struck a Peterbilt rig, driven by 36-year old Bendrick Duane Moye of Overton, head on.

Moye was taken by ACE EMS to ETMC-Carthage and reported to be in stable condition.

Behind Ms. Guilbeau was a 2013 Chevrolet half-ton pickup, driven by 73-year old Richard Leroy Gilbert of Lufkin, who was uninjured.

It’s reported Ms. Guilbeau’s pickup was pushed into his vehicle.

The Tenaha and Joaquin Volunteer Fire Departments assisted with traffic control.

Ms. Guilbeau was pronounced dead by J.P. Pct. 4 Larry “Dude” Jones.

The 38th East Texas Poultry Festival Queens Scholarship Pageant sponsored by AEP/SWEPCO will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday evening at Center High School. Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Phelps says 10 young princesses are vying for the title. She added they've gone through several weeks of events and activities.

Candidates include Alexis Byrd, escorted by Colby Hamilton; Malory Nehring, escorted by Tony Garcia; Julia Garcia, escorted by Parrish Miller; Brylee Hendricks, escorted by Matt Chandler; Macy Mayo, escorted by Brett Clark; Molly Runnels, escorted by Tanner Williams; Abbey Eddins, escorted by Tyler Muckelroy; Jasa Rodgers, escorted by Chris Caudle; Blaire Deal, escorted by Cole Cooper; and Zoey Stuever, escorted by Nathan Stuever.

Crowning the winner will be the 2013 queen, Macayla Perry.

Admission to the East Texas Poultry Festival Queens Scholarship Pageant is $5.

The Tenaha ISD band, "The Roarin' Band from Tiger Land" will debut a new marching style for the home crowd tonight at The Pit, as the band has gone to a corp style.

Director of Bands and Fine Arts Instruction Brian Sours, says the band has been eager to finally perform their entire UIL marching show for the home folks. He added the "Corp Advantage" will provide a platform for the Roarin' Band to once again set the example for what small school bands can do.

Sours said the Tenaha band was once known as the best small school military marching band in the state, but the military created a ceiling that prevented the band from the ability to compete for the chance to medal at the UIL State Marching Band Championship.

Sours invites everyone to come out and support the team, cheerleaders, Tiger Dolls and Roarin' Band. He says they can't wait for the Tenaha fans to witness the difference.

Shelbyville High School is celebrating homecoming today with a parade at 2:30 on campus, with the pep-rally to follow and the crowing of the queen will take place pregame starting at 7:00 pm at Dragon Stadium, followed by the Dragons taking on Queen City.

Timpson High School is observing homecoming festivities today and tonight. School will have early release at 1 p.m., this afternoon, with the parade line-up at 2:00 in front of the High School, and the parade beginning promptly at 3:00.  The community pep-rally will follow on "The Square" at 3:30.  Homecoming activities continue tonight with the crowning of the queen and introduction of the court and sweethearts starting at 7 p.m., followed by the Bears taking on Lovelady. 

It’s also homecoming in San Augustine and school will release at 11 a.m. this morning, with the parade at 1 p.m., followed by a pep rally on the square. The homecoming court King and Queen Crowning will take place at 7 p.m. at Wolf Stadium, followed by the Wolves taking on Hemphill, and a dance at 10 p.m.

Joaquin Elementary School has kicked off a new competition, "Boys VS. Girls--Who Rules the School?"  Boys and girls in Pre-K through 5th grade will compete to see who can turn in the most Box Tops.  The competition began on September 22 and will end on October 23. You’re asked to clip those Box Tops and send them in to support the Joaquin School.

Pine Grove Nursing Center is hosting a baked potato sale on the Center Square today starting at 11 a.m. Deliveries are available. Meals come with a loaded potato (trimmings on the side) with or without fajita chicken, including a homemade dessert and drink. With fajita chicken is $8 and $7 without. Proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Awareness Association. For pre-orders call Director of Nursing Carriston Hendricks at 936-598-6286, and make checks payable to Carriston Hendricks.

We received a message from Shelby County Outreach Ministries Executive Director Sherry Harding saying that a special meeting will be held for Shelby County ministers at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29 at the Center Senior Nutrition Site on Loop 500. Ms. Harding said the meeting is to discuss some of the needs of the community. To confirm your attendance, ministers are asked to call 598-4990.

Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson announces pending service for 73-year old James Harold Milford of Longview. He passed away Thursday in Longview.

Garner & Son Mortuary of San Augustine announces service for 44-year old James Arthur Polk, Jr. of San Augustine. He passed away last Saturday at his residence. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at True Vine Baptist Church in San Augustine. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Garner & Sons Chapel. Among James Arthur Polk, Jr.’s survivors are his wife, Breda Perez of San Augustine; children, Javon, Johnson of San Augustine, Robert Johnson of San Antonio, and Oceania Johnson of Houston; mother, Nettie Polk of San Augustine; sisters, Sarah A. Polk and Sonja Polk, both of San Augustine; and one brother, Antonio Henson of Dallas.

The Center Rider sub-varsity football teams had a good night against Hardin-Jefferson last night, as the JV Riders take a 20-14 win, the 8^th grade Riders come away with a 30-14 victory, and the 7A wins, 20-0, and the Rider 7^th Grade B Team ties Hardin-Jefferson, 6-6.

Week 5 of the high school football season has some good match-ups locally.

The 2-1 Center Roughriders travel to Sour Lake to play 4-0 the state-ranked Hardin-Jefferson Hawks. Center Broadcasting has the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE as Rob Payne, Chris Watlington and the Rider Radio Team have the broadcast beginning with the stadium pre-game at 7 p.m.

If you would like instructions on how to get to the football stadium for Hardin-Jefferson, the address you will need to type into a GPS or Google Maps is 3025 Texas Hwy 326, Sour Lake, TX 77659. DIRECTIONS: In Sour Lake Turn at 2025 Hwy. 326 South. This will take you to the high school and the middle school (they are located in the same area). The stadium is in between both schools.

The 3-0 Shelbyville Dragons play 1-3 Queen City in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB, as Don Wall hits the air with the pre-game at 7:20 p.m. It's also homecoming in Shelbyville.

In other local games, it's a battle of two traditional powerhouses as #15 state-ranked Alto will tangle with #3 ranked Tenaha at The Pit. Both teams are undefeated at 3-0.

Elsewhere, Groveton will be at 1-2 Joaquin; 0-2 Timpson has homecoming as they'll take on Lovelady; it's also homecoming in San Augustine as the 1-2 Wolves play 3-1 Hemphill; and Plain Dealing will be at 2-1 Logansport for homecoming.

It's a battle of Bulldogs Saturday night in Palestine, as 2-1 Garrison will play Marlin at 6 p.m. 

Other area games, Lufkin will be at Nacogdoches where it's sold out, Deweyville at West Sabine, Mount Enterprise at Cross Roads, Tatum at Chapel Hill,

Center Varsity Tennis will be at Kilgore at 9 a.m. Saturday, and in Spring Hill at 1 p.m.

In volleyball, both Center and Timpson have open dates today. The Lady Riders open district Tuesday at Huntington, while the Lady Bears are home to play Overton.

Some 500 of the top college cowboys and cowgirls in the country will converge on Panola County this weekend as the first rodeo of the 10 rodeo circuit for the Southern Region is held. The rodeo will take place at the Panola County Cattleman’s Arena on Hwy. 79 north of Carthage. Performance times are 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday, with slack each day at noon. Tickets are available at the gate. Panola College is hosting the event, with 14 teams from junior colleges and four-year universities throughout the region taking part. The Rodeo is sponsored by Devon Energy.

This weekend, the East Texas area forests will be busy with activity. The special “Youth Only” squirrel season begins and ends this weekend. This is a full week in advance of the traditional squirrel season open to all.

Also, the archery only deer season will open up Saturday morning and run thru Oct. 31.

Many recreation areas and other venues in the National Forest will be free to the public tomorrow, Saturday, in celebration of National Public Lands Day. Day-use fees will be waived at the Sabine National Forest – including Haley’s Ferry, Ragtown, East Hamilton, Indian Mounds, Lakeview and Willow Oak.

The City of Joaquin will shut the water off for the Joaquin Service Area Sunday , September 28, 2014 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m..  The shut down is another phase of putting the new reverse osmosis water system in operation.  We apologize for the inconvenience

  Water to the Haslam Service area will not be off.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to call.

Center Broadcasting has received confirmation that one person has died at the scene of a two-vehicle addice this morning on Hwy. 84 near Paxton.

The following report is from the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department.

At 11:00 a.m. Thursday, the Joaquin Fire Department was dispatched to a major accident on Hwy. 84, just east of FM 699. Units arrived to find a pick-up truck that had collided with a tractor-trailer rig. The driver of the pick-up was deceased. At the request of DPS Trooper Jimmy Faulkner, the Joaquin VFD, with assistance from the Tenaha VFD, closed the road and secured the scene. After the victim was pronounce deceased by J.P. Precinct 4 Jim Powers, the Joaquin VFD used the Jaws-of-Life to remove the driver from the vehicle, with assistance from ACE EMS. Both fire departments remained on scene to maintain traffic control until the highway could be reopened. 

Center Broadcasting will have more details as they become available.

Arrest Report

9/24/14--9/25/14

Shelby County:

Ray Howard Neuwirth, 21, Center, Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Driving While License Invalid

Jose Lucas Alonso, 42, Center, Evading Arrest with a Vehicle

San Augustine County:

Tevin S. Ryan, 24, San Augustine, Motion for Adjudication

Milton U. Cramer, 30, Pineland, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Non Child Support, Resisting Arrest & Failure to ID

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The 38th East Texas Poultry Festival is a week away, but several kick-off events were held yesterday, and according to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, here are the winners of the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Co. and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.

DOO DAH PARADE SPONSORED BY CENTER TIRE COMPANY

RESULTS:

1st Place - Rope 'em Riders

2nd Place - First Douglas Battery

3rd Place - Captain Jesse Amason

Winners may pick their trophy up at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office.

EAST TEXAS POULTRY FESTIVAL

CHICKEN COOKING CONTEST SPONSORED BY TYSON FOODS

Men's Division:

1st Place - Will Lucas

2nd Place - Elliot Minshew

3rd Place - Nathan Phelps

Women's Division:

1st Place - Shelia Burch

2nd Place - Ashley Newton

3rd Place - Lila Akin

Youth Division:

1st Place - McKenna Williams

2nd Place - Jessica Johnson

3rd Place - Kelsie Waller and Asia Garrett 

The 38th East Texas Poultry Festival will be held Oct. 2-4 in Center.

The Queens Scholarship Pageant sponsored by AEP/SWEPCO is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday evening at Center High School Ten young princesses are vying for the title. Candidates include Alexis Byrd; Malory Nehring; Julia Garcia; Brylee Hendricks; Macy Mayo; Molly Runnels; Abbey Eddins; Jasa Rodgers; Blaire Deal and Zoey Stuever.

Crowning the winner will be the 2013 queen, Macayla Perry.

An off-duty Panola County deputy constable died from injuries received in a wreck Wednesday morning on Hwy. 79 South between Carthage and Henderson near Fairplay.

Panola County officials say 63-year old Byron McMillen passed away at ETMC in Carthage.

McMillen is said to have retired from the Panola County Sheriff’s Office in 2012 before beginning his job as a deputy constable for Brian Murff.

McMillen was also a part-time instructor at the East Texas Police Academy.

A Nacogdoches business owner has been arrested again following a grand jury indictment for stalking.

According to the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, 59-year old William Charles "Willie" Hudson turned himself in to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday and posted a $15,000 bond.

It marks the fourth time in three months Hudson has been arrested.

The article said in June Hudson reportedly did a number of things to make a female feel, “harassed, annoyed, alarmed, abused, tormented, embarrassed, or offended”.

The indictment also said Hudson threatened the same woman.

Hudson is the owner of Nacogdoches Hardware and Rental, and was arrested three times in June—for allegedly assaulting a disabled SFA employee, filing a false police report, and a grand jury indictment for robbery and injury to a disabled individual.

Hudson is a Center native.

Willie Hudson

If you're not a registered vote, you have until Monday, Oct. 6 to sign up so you'll be able to cast your ballot in the Nov. 4 general election.

There are a number of state-wide offices such as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general among others to be decided.

Plus, a county-wide race in Shelby and San Augustine Counties for 273rd district judge, district-wide for State Senator Dist. 3, and for Shelby County Commissioner Pct. 2; Shelby County Justice of the Peace Pcts. 1, 2 & 5, and a Center City Council position for Place 2.

In addition, Center ISD Board of Trustees has four positions to be elected.

Also, in San Augustine County, the county judges' race, the San Augustine City Council where all four seats are contested, and four positions on the San Augustine ISD Board are up for election.

So, it's a busy political season heading into the next six weeks.

The first day of early voting is Oct. 20.

To register to vote in Shelby County, go to Voter Registrar Debora Riley's office in the courthouse, and in San Augustine County, you would see Election Administrator Deborah Woods.

Center Broadcasting reminds candidates our Political Calendar will start airing Monday. If you're interested in participating, come by the station.

The Timpson ISD has received a Superior Achievement rating on the 2013-14 Financial Rating System of Texas report.

Timpson ISD Superintendent Dr. Mid Johnson said the district received a perfect score of 70 on the FIRST report.

He credits the Timpson Board of Trustees, the district's business manager Janie Rains, assistant business manager Debbie Golden and the Timpson ISD staff for their efforts in meeting the needs of the students, while being judicious with school funding.

According to a Texas Education Agency news release, the FIRST report is designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. 

Center High School Homecoming is Oct. 24 and Center ISD announced the princess and queen candidate Wednesday.

Princess candidates are Freshmen Duchesses: Hailey Haddox and Lexi Moody; Sophomore Duchesses: Kimberly Rodriguez and Sarah Wingo; and Junior Duchesses: Julie Garcia, Asia Garrett and Lizeth Sanchez.

Queen Candidates are Senior Duchesses: Courtney Bell, Julie McSwain and Riley Mitchell.

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted in a residential burglary in the 100 block of Hwy. 763 in Stanley, Louisiana on August 29.

Taken were a .32 caliber revolver, .38 caliber revolver, and a .22 magnum revolver along with $600 in cash.

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in the suspect(s) arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 800-505-STOP. All calls are confidential.

A lack of rain received in the past couple of weeks, coupled with a change in seasons, and more folks working outdoors in their yard and other property with the cooler temperatures, don't let your guard down by allowing a brush fire get out of control.

Checking with some of the local fire departments yesterday there's been some responses to some grass fires situations, but fortunately, that number has been kept at a minimum.

Firemen urge you to burn with caution and keep a good water source nearby.

Not much of a chance of rain at all for the remainder of the week heading into early next week, so use caution.

There have been no burn warnings issued for the area.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide is averaging $3.15 a gallon, that's down two cents in the past week, according to gasbuddy.com. In Louisiana, a gallon’s averaging $3.12, that’s a penny cheaper than last week. Nationally, the average is $3.34, which is 3 pennies less than last week, and 12 cents less from the same time a year ago. Here at home, checking prices this morning in Center, the lowest we found was $3.15 at Wal-Mart, down a penny in the past week. 

Huxley Bay’s First Oktoberfest & Beauty Pagent will be held Oct. 10-12, featuring crafts and food and several other events.

The “Backwoods Princess” pageant will be Oct. 11, with everyone getting a crown, with deadline for entry next Tuesday, Sept. 30.

There will be live music from the Ashton Hill Band on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m., and an Oktoberfest Luncheon featuring traditional foods on Oct. 12.

For more information, contact Lora Collier or Shasta Miller at 936-368-2494.

In sub-varsity football tonight,

The Center Middle School Riders will go to Hardin-Jefferson for a 5 p.m. start, while the Freshmen/JV Riders will be home against Hardin-Jefferson in a 5:30 p.m. kick-off.

The Shelbyville 7th and 8th grade will play in Queen City  starting @ 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the JV Dragons will play Hemphill @ 5 p.m. in Shelbyville.

The Tenaha Jr. High and JV Tigers will be in Alto tonight. Jr. High starts at 5 p.m., followed by the JV at 7:30 p.m.

The Joaquin Jr. High & JV Rams will go to Groveton starting at 5 p.m.

The Timpson Jr. High will be at Lovelady in a 5:30 p.m. start.

San Augustine Jr. High & JV teams will be at Hemphill this evening.

The Center Varsity Tennis team will be in Kilgore at 9 a.m. Saturday and at Spring Hill at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

This Friday night's varsity football has the Center Roughriders heading to Sour Lake to play Hardin-Jefferson. Center Broadcasting has the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE.

It's homecoming in Shelbyville as the Dragons play Queen City in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB.

In other local games, it's a battle of unbeatens as Alto will be in Tenaha; Groveton will be at Joaquin; Timpson has homecoming as they'll take on Lovelady; it's also homecoming in San Augustine as the Wolves play Hemphill; and Plain Dealing will be at Logansport for homecoming.

Garrison will play Marlin at 6 p.m. Saturday night in Palestine.

By the way, unless you already have a ticket, the Nacogdoches and Lufkin game Friday night in Nacogdoches is totally sold out.

In volleyball Tuesday, Bullard swept the Center Lady Riders in straight sets in their last non-district game, and the Timpson Lady Bears are 1-1 in district after beating Leverrett's Chapel, 25-15, 27-25 & 26-24. Center and Timpson are both open Friday, with the Lady Riders opening district Tuesday at Huntington, while the lady Bears are home to play Overton.

Some 500 of the top college cowboys and cowgirls in the country will converge on Panola County this weekend as the first rodeo of the 10 rodeo circuit for the Southern Region is held. The rodeo will take place at the Panola County Cattleman’s Arena on Hwy. 79 north of Carthage. Performance times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with slack each day at noon. Tickets are available at the gate. Panola College is hosting the event, with 14 teams from junior colleges and four-year universities throughout the region taking part. The Rodeo is sponsored by Devon Energy.

Arrest Report

9/23/14--9/24/14

Shelby County:

Douglas Baker, Jr., 31, Gary, Refugio County Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated

Steve Smith, 24, San Augustine, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Charles Evans, 39, Logansport, Warrant-Theft

Kursti Rae Woodrome, 21, Timpson, Assault-Family Violence Causing Bodily Injury

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For the second consecutive year, the Tenaha ISD has been ranked number one as the top school among the 30 grantees for student growth with an almost 10 percent improvement rate in the areas of reading and writing from the Texas Literacy Initiative.

Tenaha ISD Superintendent Scott Tyner says the district received the news at last week’s meeting in San Antonio.

Tyner said over the past three years, Academic Affairs Director Martha Boren and Special Services Director Terry Bowlin have worked to implement portions of the over $1 million award (over five years) to address instructional strategies, develop assessments and individually assist students on a day-to-day basis to develop their literacy skills.

Tyner added Grant Specialist Wendy Watson and Elizabeth Ward have also been instrumental.

Tyner said the hard work of all Tenaha ISD staff members, teachers and most importantly, Tiger students made this feat possible.

A new school year is underway and Center ISD is beginning its fifth year as a partner with the East Texas Food Bank's Backpack Program.

According to Center High School Counselor Alease Copelin, the program is made possible through the financial support of individuals, groups, organizations, Sunday school classes and more to provide child friendly snacks each weekend for food insecure students on three campuses. 

She said the school district is beginning a new program to fight childhood hunger and support the Backpack program through Flags to Fight Hunger...a program that will promote patriotism in the community while providing support to help hungry children. 

The Center community is encouraged to become participants and watch American flags fly across the town on six holidays each year for a yearly fee.

She said a team will come to set up and take down the flags each holiday, and insure they are positioned for maximum visibility. Many neighborhoods already have members who are acting as point of contact to provide information; businesses will receive information as well.

For more, contact Alease Copelin at Center High School - 590-6173, ext. 2204. 

Be part of a program that shows pride in our nation while helping make a positive difference in the lives of children.

Today is “See You at the Pole” day.

During the 7 a.m. hour, all around the globe, in every time zone, students will be gathering at their flagpoles, praying for their school, friends, families, churches and communities. “See You at the Pole” is a day committed to global unity in Christ and prayer for your generation.

Center High School will observe the occasion at 7:15 a.m. at the circle drive of the high school, Center Middle School at 7:15 a.m. on the front lawn, and Center Elementary School at 7:10 a.m. at the flagpole.

The Timpson ISD will gather at 7: 15 a.m. at the Timpson High School flagpole.

Shelbyville and Joaquin ISDs will have similar gatherings at 7:30 this morning, while Tenaha ISD students will assemble at 7 a.m.

These are student-led activities.

The Tenaha City Council tabled several items on their agenda at Monday night’s meeting.

According to Mayor Orinthia Johnson, the council decided to hold-off on making any decision on refurbishing the police department, located in the same building as city hall at the Tenaha Municipal Building.

He said it was also decided to table the purchase of a metal storage building that would be located next to city hall, and made no decision on what to do with the old city hall building on the square.

Mayor Johnson advised the council did approve a request to close a right-of-way on city owned property at the above ground water storage tank behind First Baptist Church. He said Ann Swift was planning to install a fence to keep late-night traffic from coming onto her property.

Tenaha City Council did adopt the new city budget and the property tax rate of $0.22 per $100 valuation, the same as last fiscal year.

DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that result in the arrest of two wanted suspects from Logansport.

Authorities are looking for 25-year old Dominic T. Jenkins and 39-year old Christopher D. Williams.

Jenkins is described as a black male, 6-1, 165 pounds and is wanted for Criminal Neglect of Family.

Williams is a black male, 6-0 tall, weighing 195 pounds and is wanted for Probation Violation.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of these two suspects, you’re asked to call the DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers line at 800-505-STOP (7867).

All calls are confidential. 

Dominic Jenkins

Christopher Williams

The man accused of selling drugs to Alfred Wright, allegedly causing his death last year, received a continuance in his pre-trial court appearance Monday.

The attorney for 28-year old Shane Dwayne Hadnot of Jasper filed for the continuance on behalf of his client, who was to appear in Federal Court in Beaumont this week. Hadnot was indicted on August 6 on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance resulting in the death, and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.

Hadnot had agreed to detention until the pre-trial hearing, which will likely occur in October.

The indictment says Hadnot admitted selling a gram of cocaine and three Xanax tablets to Wright, but did not admit to selling meth.

Wright went missing in a remote area of Sabine County in November of 2013. His body was found about two weeks later by a group of volunteer searchers.

The autopsy report says Wright’s cause of death was an accident due to combined drug intoxication.

If convicted, Hadnot faces 20 years to life in federal prison on each charge.

The Wright family is saying Hadnot is a scapegoat to a cover up.

If you’ve been craving a slice of East Texas Poultry Festival, you’ll get your first good taste of it today as the annual kick-off fajita luncheon will be start at 11 a.m. this morning on the historic courthouse square in Center. Shelby County

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Phelps says the "chicken cutters" will be ready to prepare the chicken for the meals, and a fun day is in store.

The luncheon includes 2 chicken fajitas, chips, salsa & drink for $7, and will be served until sold out.

At 4:30 this afternoon, the always entertaining Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Co. will hit the downtown Center Square. Ms. Phelps says the parade will feature the 10 princess candidates vying to become Poultry Festival Queen.

At 5 p.m. the Chicken Cooking Contest gets underway as Ms. Phelps says there’s 21 entrants in the three categories vying for trophies and cash prizes.

She says there’s also a People’s Choice and Best Dressed Table award, plus you’ll be able to sample the dishes for $5.

The Rooster Revel 2014 auction gets started at 6 p.m. this evening as Center High Agribusiness and Marketing students and art students have their metal silhouette designs take the stage.

According to Ms. Phelps, 10 of the roosters will be part of a silent auction, with the other 10 to be auctioned by County Judge Rick Campbell.

Coming up Saturday night, it’s the Poultry Festival Queen’s Pageant at 6 p.m. at Center High School.

The 38th East Texas Poultry Festival will run Oct. 2 thru Oct. 4. 

For more on the event, go to the chamber's website: shelbycountychamber.com.

Starting at 8:30 a.m this morning, a new program will air, hosted by Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Jheri-Lynn Smith. The show, “Home & Health with Jheri-Lynn” will offer advice and tips to living a better and healthier lifestyle, plus keep you up-to-date with the programs of the extension service. That’s 8:30 this morning, “Home & Health with Jheri-Lynn” on KDET.

What your handwriting revels about you will be discussed at Lifetree Café at 6 p.m. Thursday. The program, “Sign Here: What Handwriting Reveals About You—and Others”. Admission to the 60-minute is free. Lifetree Café is located The Little Fox Marketplace in downtown Center.

For more information, contact Rick Lindsey at 936-332-8312.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces graveside service for 68-year old Rex E. Bradshaw of Center. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Center. 

This week's high school football has the Center Roughriders on the road to play state-ranked Hardin-Jefferson. Center Broadcasting has the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE. It's homecoming in Shelbyville as the Dragons play Queen City in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100 KQBB. In other local games, Alto travels to Tenaha; Groveton will be at Joaquin; Timpson has homecoming as they'll take on Lovelady; it's also homecoming in San Augustine as the Wolves play Hemphill; and Plain Dealing will be at Logansport for homecoming. Garrison will play Marlin at 6 p.m.  Saturday night in Palestine.

In sub-varsity football Thursday night,

The Center Middle School Riders will go to Hardin-Jefferson for a 5 p.m. start, while the Freshmen/JV Riders will be home against Hardin-Jefferson in a 5:30 p.m. kick-off.

The Shelbyville 7th and 8th grade will play in Queen City starting @ 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the JV Dragons will play Hemphill @ 5:00 p.m. in Shelbyville.

The Tenaha Jr. High and JV Tigers will be in Alto. Jr. High starts at 5 p.m., followed by the JV at 7:30 p.m.

The Joaquin Jr. High & JV Rams will go to Groveton starting at 5 p.m.

The Timpson Jr. High will be at Lovelady in a 5:30 p.m. start.

The Center Varsity Tennis team will be in Kilgore at 9 a.m. Saturday and at Spring Hill at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Arrest Report

9/22/14--9/23/14

Shelby County:

Aaron Howard, 60, Center, Driving While License Invalid

Gary Patrick Simon, 30, Center, Driving While License Invalid with Previous Conviction

Skyler Free Smith, 20, Frankston, Henderson County Warrants-Assault-Causing Bodily Injury & Motion to Revoke Probation

Johnny Barrett, 43, Joaquin, Polk County Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Tevin Garrett, 21, Center, Theft

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

At the Center City Council meeting last night approval was given to the new Fiscal Year 2015 Budget and Tax Rate, and a slight increase for a majority of city services, primarily water and sewer rates, ranging from 2 to 4 percent, with no increase in garbage services.

City Manager Chad Nehring said for example, an average residential customer that uses 7,000 gallons, their monthly bill will increase $2. He said over half of the increases are related to the sewer services and increased costs and expenses budgeted.

Nehring also the City of Center's sales tax receipts have showed positive gains in three of the last four months. Saying September is up over last year at this time. He added with several construction and development projects underway and others planned, and exploration stages and some resurgence of oil/gas industry activities, the city is seeing slow, but stable growth.

Nehring also updated the council on a number of projects, saying MLK Drive is progressing toward completion of the initial phase, and should be open for traffic in the next two weeks; the 2014 street program/Lillian Street improvement has an expected completion of the end-of-the year; and sewer installation and decommissioning of the Hwy. 7 lift station at the Loop 500 construction project should be finalized this week.

He also noted design is virtually complete on the street installation--Hutcherson Drive--at the Center Motor Company building site; the downtown sidewalk enhancement grant did score sufficient and approval is anticipated; plus the recycling grant through DETCOG is also likely, but no official word.

Shelby County Commissioners' Court decided to table the acceptance of the countywide road improvement project at Monday's meeting, citing there were several areas that needed to be addressed before the final OK was given to Stolz Engineering.

Commissioners also approved resuming maintenance on CR 1230 and a portion of CR 1234, and agreed to extend maintenance on CR 2375 by 370 feet.

The court also voted to distribute $5,000 from the Family Protection Fund to CASA, Pineywoods Outreach and the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center.

The San Augustine County Commissioners’ Court will meet at 9 a.m. this morning, and among the items for discussion and possible action will be adoption of the Fiscal Year 2014-15 Budget and Tax Rate; the proposal for the law enforcement center fire code renovation; political signs on the courthouse lawn; Alzheimer’s Awareness Month resolution; disbursement from County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zone Fund; and the 2015 Indigent Defense Grant Program Resolution.

A Shelbyville man escaped serious injuries, but a downtown Center businesses wasn't as fortunate when the man reportedly suffered a medical condition, blacked-out, struck a building and overturned his pickup Monday morning.

Center Police Officer Bobby Walker tells us he received a dispatched call just before 7 a.m. yesterday that a reckless driver was headed into Center on Hwy. 7 east and had already taken out a mailbox.

Officer Walker said as he was enroute, 42-year old Kenneth Furlow was entering the Center square on Cora Street in a GMC single-cab, and as he was pursuing Furlow around the square, he turned onto San Augustine Street, ran onto the sidewalk, and struck the Citizens' Bank Annex building, turning the vehicle onto its side.

Officer Walker said the back glass was broken out and Furlow was removed from the pickup with a reported injury to his hand.

Upon questioning, Furlow said he had been on medication for an illness, and didn't recall all the events that led to the accident.

He was taken by ACE EMS to CHI St. Luke's in San Augustine.

Officer Walker said no charges will be filed in the incident.

The bank annex, received substantial damage.

A Shelby County man was found unharmed after he was reported missing after dark Friday evening.

Sheriff Willis Blackwell said in a press release that 70-year old Steve Franks of the Stockman Community had wondered off from a residence, reportedly upset with a shotgun around 5 p.m.

A number of agencies responded to the location on FM 415 to assist in the search. DPS called for a helicopter and the Department of Correction dogs were even called in.

Sheriff Blackwell said around 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning, Franks came out of the woods, disoriented, but OK. He was returned to the residence.

Sheriff Blackwell offered thanks to all officers for their assistance, saying "It really pays off when everyone works together."

Among the agencies assisting were Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Shelby County District Attorney Investigator, Pct. 5 Constable Stephen Burgay, Pct. 2 Constable Jamie Hagler, TPWD Game Wardens Nathan Skeen and Anthony King, DPS Tooper Jimmy Faulkner and Sheriff Willis Blackwell.

There will be a free seminar on protecting your assets and nursing home Medicaid from 10:30 to 12:30 today at the Senior Nutrition Center, Loop 500 in Center.

There will be discussion on protecting your assets, Medicaid in a nursing home, Hospice and nursing home Medicaid, Hospice at home versus nursing home, and home health services.

Lunch will be provided and there will be door prizes. 

Tomorrow is “See You at the Pole” day. During the 7 a.m. hour, all around the globe, in every time zone, students will be gathering at their flagpoles, praying for their school, friends, families, churches and communities.

“See You at the Pole” is a day committed to global unity in Christ and prayer for your generation.

Center High School students will observe the occasion at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday at the circle drive of the high school, Center Middle School at 7:10 a.m, and Timpson High School students will also be observing the event.

This is a student-led activity.

NOTE: If you're schools not listed and having a "See You at the Pole" event, please let us know by commenting on this post.

The U.S. Air Force Band of the West “Top Flight” will be performing in San Augustine this evening.

Tonight’s show will be at the San Augustine High School Football Field starting at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Top Flight is a six member rock group, and among the members is Technical Sgt. Chad Newman, a percussionist who happens to be a 1989 graduate of San Augustine High School.

Sgt. Newman will be retiring from the Air Force in February.

The band is based out of Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Events today in San Augustine begin with a Fall Festival from noon to 5 p.m. sponsored by the school district. There will be face painting, along with games and prizes behind the San Augustine Gym.

Bring your family and friends.

The 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off tomorrow with several events on tap, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods. The festival will run Thursday, Oct. 2 thru Saturday, Oct. 4 in downtown Center.

The Fajita Kick-Off Luncheon is $7 each, with sales to start at 11 a.m. tomorrow until sold out.

The Doo-Dah Parade will take place at 4:30 p.m. around the Center Square. Line-up is 4 p.m. at Farmers State Bank’s drive-thru.

Trophies and cash prizes will be given to the top cooks by categories at the Chicken Cooking Contest starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. There will also be People's Choice and the Best Dressed Table. The public is invited to come out on the east side of the square and try the dishes for a $5 charge.

The Rooster Revel will also be Wednesday featuring exclusive Rooster Revel 2014 metal silhouette designs created and hand painted by the Center High Agribusiness and Marketing students and art students. A select number of the silhouettes will be auctioned at 6 p.m.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the festival. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com.

Timpson High School Homecoming is this Friday, Sept. 26th. School will have early release at 1 p.m., with the parade line-up at 2:00 in front of the High School, and the parade beginning promptly at 3:00. 

The community pep-rally will follow on "The Square" at 3:30. Trophies will be awarded for first thru third place in two categories of parade floats-- "Timpson High School Class Floats" and all other Timpson ISD and community floats.

Homecoming activities continue Friday night with the crowning of the queen and introduction of the court and sweethearts starting at 7 p.m., followed by the Bears taking on Lovelady. 

It’s also homecoming in San Augustine this week as each day has a theme. School in San Augustine will release at 11 a.m. Friday, with the parade at 1 p.m., followed by a pep rally on the square. The homecoming court King and Queen Crowning will take place at 7 p.m. at Wolf Stadium, followed by the Wolves taking on Hemphill, and a dance at 10 p.m.
 

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 68-year old Rex E. Bradshaw of Center. He passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Center. Among Rex E. Bradshaw's survivors are children, Donna & Kelly McSwain, Branden & Cindy Bradshaw, Melissa & Mike McGhen, Buddy Lee & Chastity Bradshaw and Derek & Debra DiVerdi, all of Center, Denny & Gus Minkler of Logansport, Stacey & Phillip Scarborough of Huxley, and Kristin & Michael Whisenant of Center.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 85-year old Jeanette Lorraine Rhodes of Shelbyville. Service will be at 12 noon today at Carroll’s Chapel Church in Shelbyville. A visitation will be held prior to service starting at 10:30 a.m.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 104-year old Grover Cook Hicks of Center. Service will be at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at New Hope Cemetery in Center.

It's Tuesday and Don Wall's Shelby County Coaches' Show will air tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. on Q-100, KQBB.

The AP High School Football Rankings were released Monday heading into Week 5, and the Tenaha Tigers remain No. 3 in the Class 2A Poll, still behind Refugio and Mart. However, Tenaha is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A D-II by Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Alto is No. 15 in the AP Poll. In Class 3A, Cisco is No. 1, with Corrigan-Camden, 5th, Kirbyville 6th, Waskom 9th, Arp 13th, and White Oak 15th. The Class 4A Poll has a new No. 1 as Navasota takes over, with Gilmer 3rd, Gladewater 12th, Atlanta 13th, and Tatum 17th. Lufkin is No. 2 in the Class 5A Poll, just behind Aledo, John Tyler is No. 7, and Longview is No. 20. Allen remains No. 1 in 6A.

This week's high school football has the Center Roughriders on the road to play 21st-state-ranked Hardin-Jefferson for the last non-district game. In other action, it's homecoming in Shelbyville as the Dragons play Queen City; a battle of two state-ranked teams as Alto travels to Tenaha; Groveton will be at Joaquin; Timpson has homecoming as they'll take on Lovelady; it's also homecoming in San Augustine against Hemphill; Plain Dealing will be at Logansport where it's homecoming; and Garrison will close out non-district in a Saturday night game taking on Marlin in Palestine.

Volleyball schedule this week has the Center Lady Riders at home today against Bullard in the last non-district game. Action starts at 5 p.m. at Roughrider Gym. The Timpson Lady Bears will continue district as they go to Leverrett's Chapel this afternoon.

The Center Varsity Tennis team will be in Henderson at 4 p.m. this afternoon. They’ll be in Kilgore at 9 a.m. Saturday and at Spring Hill at 1 p.m. that afternoon.

Arrest Report

9/19/14--9/22/14

Shelby County:

Ashley Nicole Johnson, 22, Center, Warrant-Theft by Check

Joseph Hardy, 29, San Augustine, Bench Warrant

Eddie Chisenhall, 33, Center, Warrant-Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle & Warrant-Injury to the Elderly with Bodily Injury

Sherry Berwick, 49, Center, Warrant-Theft by Check

McOscar Yarbrough, 24, Timpson, Public Intoxication

Robert Thomason, 23, Timpson, Nacogdoches County Warrant-Motion to Revoke Probation & Driving While Intoxicated, no bond

Juan Carlos Paredes, 23, Center, Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of Marijuana

Charles Bennett, 26, Center, Public Intoxication

Jorge Arriaca, 34, Center, Driving While Intoxicated

Jennifer Anthony, 29, Joaquin, Louisiana Warrant-Larceny (Theft)

Shasta Patton, 37, Mansfield, LA., Warrant-Theft by Check

Christopher Mosby, 37, Gary, Public Intoxication

San Augustine County:

Ramon Avendano, 42, Fulton, Ark., Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance

Richard Weathered, 45, Center, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Deidre Taylor, 46, San Augustine, Nacogdoches County Warrant-Theft by Check

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Texas Workforce Commission released the August unemployment rates for the state Friday and Shelby County saw a slight dip from the previous month to 5.8 percent in August, compared to 5.9 percent in July.

San Augustine County’s August rate was 8.5 percent, up slightly from 8.2 in July.

Both Shelby and San Augustine Counties were substantial down from August of last year when Shelby County’s unemployment was 7.2 percent, and 10 percent for San Augustine.

The statewide rate was 5.3, up from 5.1 percent in July.

In neighboring counties, Sabine County’s August unemployment is 11.4 percent; Nacogdoches, 5.9; Angelina, 5.4; and Panola County’s rate was 4.2 percent. 

The Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will have a special meeting at 9:30 this morning, and among the agenda items for discussion and possibly action will be a presentation from Stolz Engineering in regards to the construction completion for countywide road improvements, and acceptance of work done; District Ranger Kimpton Cooper with the National Forest Service concerning the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between the county and the Sabine National Forest Service; the purchase of a camera for Game Warden Nathan Skeen; resuming maintenance on a portion of County Road 1230; extending maintenance on County Road 2375; and consideration of bids on gravel, tires, fuel and custodial services.

In addition, Shelby County Commissioners may approve a general order regarding disbursement from County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zone Increment Fund; distribution to be made from Fund 78 – Family Protection Fund for FY 2014; and record audit review statement in regards to District Attorney Forfeiture Funds.

The Center City Council has a pretty full agenda when they meet at 5 p.m. today.

Starting with a Public Hearing on Reinvestment Zone 14 at FM 699 and FM 2468; and then discussion and possible action on adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget of just over $10-million, and Tax Rate and Levy of $0.53 per $100 valuation; establishing the rates and fees for city water, sewer, garbage and other services of new fiscal year; creating and approving Reinvestment Zone 14 and then authorizing the tax abatement within the zone with Port-a-Cool; and amending Section 82 of the Code of Ordinances requiring remittance of hotel occupancy taxes.

In addition, authorizing an agreement for lease/purchase of Municipal Court Computer software system through the Court Technology Fund; approving ballot for Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and approve event and partial closure of inside of courthouse square on Oct. 31 & Nov. 1. The request is being made by the congregation of Casa de Dios Pentecostal Church of Center.

The Center City Council is also expected to go into executive session to discuss with the city attorney a settlement agreement between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the City of Center.

The San Augustine City Council will have a called meeting at 4 p.m. this afternoon and is expected to adopt the 2014 Property Tax Rate.

The Tenaha City Council will attempt to hold their regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. today after it was postponed from last Monday due to lack of a quorum. Among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be refurbishing the police department, in addition to closing of right-of- way on Main Street. Marie and Victor Crawford, along with Ann Swift are to address the council in regards to the closure. In addition, Tenaha Council will have discussion and possible action on a storage building, and disposing of a building at 122 N. Center Street. The Fiscal Year 2014-15 City Budget and Tax Rate is also expected to be adopted.

The Joaquin ISD Board of Trustees will have a special meeting at 10 a.m. this morning. The lone agenda item is the canvassing of votes from last Saturday’s Tax Ratification Election. The issue failed, 232-123.

The Paxton Water/Jackson Plant has cancelled the boil water notice that was issued last week for customers out of water Sept. 16 & 17 near at Lambert Hill. Again, the Paxton Water/Jackson Plant has rescinded the boil water notice.

The U.S. Air Force Band of the West “Top Flight” will be performing in Nacogdoches tonight and in San Augustine Tuesday evening.

Tonight’s show in Nacogdoches will be at the Cole Concert Hall at SFA. Tomorrow night, the band will be at the San Augustine High School Football Field. Both performances begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Top Flight is a six member rock group, and among the members is Technical Sgt. Chad Newman, a percussionist who happens to be a 1989 graduate of San Augustine High School. Sgt. Newman will be retiring from the Air Force in February.

The band is based out of Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Tuesday’s events in San Augustine begin with a Fall Festival from noon to 3:30 p.m. sponsored by the school district. There will be face painting, along with games and prizes behind the San Augustine Gym.

Bring your family and friends.

The 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off this Wednesday, September 24 with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.  The actual festival will be opening Thursday, October 2.

Tickets for the Fajita Kick-Off Luncheon are $7 each, with sales to start at 11 a.m. Wednesday until sold out. By the way, if you missed Friday’s deadline for delivery, it’s been extended until today. Just call in orders to 598-3682, or fax to 598-5032. Today’s the deadline for fajita delivery.

Trophies and cash prizes will be given to the top cooks by categories at the Chicken Cooking Contest starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. There will also be People's Choice and the Best Dressed Table. The public is invited to come out on the east side of the square and try the dishes for a $5 charge.

The Rooster Revel will be Wednesday featuring exclusive Rooster Revel 2014 metal silhouette designs created and hand painted by the Center High Agribusiness and Marketing students and art students. A select number of the silhouettes will be auctioned at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the festival. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com. 

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces a memorial service was conducted for 85-year old Jeanette Lorraine Rhodes of Shelbyville. She passed away Friday in Tyler. Among Jeanette Lorraine Rhodes’ survivors is a step-daughter, Betty L. Rhodes-Shapiro of California; sons, Earl, Mitchell and Miguel Rhodes of Dallas; daughters, Michelle J. Berry of Dallas, Marclalynne “Lyndl” Rhodesfields of Tyler and Myra L. Fields of Boise, Idaho; brothers, Willie G. Booth and Jimmy R. Booth; and sister, Margaret J. White.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of service Sunday for 80-year old Patrick O’Neal Buddin of Center. Service was held at First Baptist Church in Center, with interment at Oaklawn Memorial Park. He was the owner and CEO of Toledo Finance Corporation. Among Pat Buddin’s survivors is his wife, Peggy Buddin of Center; son Jason Patrick Buddin of Austin; daughter, Adrienne Buddin Schoelpple of Austin; and sisters, Lois Ann Coker of South Carolina and Mary Gayle Paul of Ohio. Memorial donations may be made to the Pat and Peggy Buddin Scholarship Fund at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 104-year old Grover Cook Hicks of Center. She passed away Sunday at Pine Grove Nursing Home in Center. Service will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at New Hope Cemetery in Center. Visitation will be this evening at Mangum Funeral Home. She retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone where she was an operator for many years. Among Grover Cook Hicks’ survivors are first cousin, Murel Bush Thomason of Center and her family; Betsy & Dan McDonald of Houston; Yondi Watson & family of Center; and Yanci & Ron Hendricks & family of Huxley, Brandi & Steven Sikes & family of Houston, and Ashli McDonald of Austin.

It was a good night for local high school football, weather-wise and on the field, as all Shelby County teams notched victories in Week 4.

The Center Roughriders improve to 2-1 with a 26-15 win over Jasper; the Joaquin Rams get their first win with a 30-28 decision against Cayuga; in a battle of two state-ranked unbeaten, the Tenaha Tigers come away with a 26-15 win over White Oak, pushing Tenaha’s record to 3-0; and the Shelbyville Dragons remain unbeaten at 3-0 with a 47-0 shut out of Colmesneil. Elsewhere, the San Augustine Wolves get their first win, 38-6 over Groveton; the Garrison Bulldogs are 2-1 with a 26-21 victory over New Diana; Gladewater over Carthage, 23-13; Hemphill beats Burkeville, 50-6; and the Logansport Tigers get past Red River, 21-12.

This week's high school football has the Center Roughriders beginning a three-game road trip in the next four weeks, as the Riders head to Sour Lake Friday night to take on Hardin-Jefferson. It's also Center's last non-district game. Other action, it's homecoming in Shelbyville as the Dragons play Queen City; Alto comes to Tenaha; Groveton at Joaquin; Timpson has homecoming as they'll take on Lovelady; it's also homecoming in San Augustine against Hemphill; Plain Dealing will be at Logansport where it's homecoming; and Garrison will close out non-district in a Saturday night game taking on Marlin in Palestine.

The SFA Lumberjacks beat Weber State, 35-20.

Volleyball schedule this week has the Center Lady Riders at home Tuesday against Bulllard in the last non-district game. Action starts at 5 p.m. The Timpson Lady Bears will continue district as they go to Leverrett's Chapel.

We’re into the final few hours of summer, as the autumnal equinox begins the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere at 9:29 p.m. this evening.

According to the Old Farmers Almanac and AccuWeather, the South is expected to see above normal rain fall heading into the final three months of 2014, as well as into early 2015.

With the heart of hurricane season in the early fall, forecasters are saying September is predicted to be an active month in the Atlantic.

Fall will definitely be in the air Tuesday & Wednesday morning as morning lows are expected to be in the upper 50s with the passage of a front today.

Look for highs in the mid to upper 80s.

The Center Jr. High Riders won 1 of 4 games played at McMichael Middle School in Nacogdoches Thursday.

The lone win was by the Rider 7A team, 12-8.

In other games, the Center 7B lost, 3-1 in a scrimmage; 8B losts 30-0; and 8A lost, 22-12.

Arrest Report

9/18/14--/9/19/14

Shelby County:

Carter Ray Garner, 52, Center, Theft

San Augustine County:

Brandon H. Rushing, 28, Henderson, Non-Child Support

Cassie Moody, 28, Zavalla, Forgery

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees has voted to approve the installation of a synthetic surface at Dragon Stadium at a special called meeting Thursday. By a 4-1vote and one abstention, the project will move forward with Hellas Construction to do the turn-key job for some $800,000. Superintendent Dr. Ray West said the turf project will be paid for by funds on hand for improvement of facilities.

“It’s a logical next step for us, after putting in the bleachers, track and other facility improvements," commented Dr. West. "It’s a nice thing for our kids, in athletics, band and other extra-curricular events. We’re gonna benefit from this for a long time.” He added, “It’s a great step forward for the Shelbyville ISD.”

Voting against the project was Trustee Joey Lawson, who told me he wasn’t against the turf, saying the timing was not right, and felt it would be expensive in the long run. He added he felt the money could be better utilized.

Abstaining was Trustee Etola Jones.

Dr. West said as soon as football season is over, which optimistically he said would be in December, the three-month project of installing the turf would begin, and be complete by the start of track season.

Hellas’ clients include AT&T Stadium, Baylor, SFA, as well as the surface at Roughrider Stadium in Center, San Augustine and the Carthage ISD.

The expected life of the turf is 10 years.

The City of Center will conduct a public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday to hear argument on an area to be designated as a reinvestment zone on the edge of town.

City Manager Chad Nehring said the 83 acres is located north of FM 699 adjoining FM 2468. Nehring noted this is required prior to any possible discussion or action related to any development incentives, including possible tax abatements. He said the land area is the current Port-a-Cool properties and the former Bruce’s plant, which the city is preparing to be able to offer available assistance with any potential expansion or renovations.

Nehring advised there are no projects ready to proceed, but several options and opportunities have been discussed that could be located within the area.

There will be a free seminar on protecting your assets and nursing home Medicaid from 10:30 to 12:30 Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Senior Nutrition Center, Loop 500 in Center.

There will be discussion on protecting your assets, Medicaid in a nursing home, Hospice and nursing home Medicaid, Hospice at home versus nursing home, and home health services.

Lunch will be provided and there will be door prizes.

For more, contact Sara Watson at 598-6286 or 332-9158.

Timpson High School Homecoming is next Friday, Sept. 26th. The parade line-up will be at 2:00 in front of the High School, with the parade beginning promptly at 3:00. 

The community pep-rally will follow on "The Square" at 3:30.

Everyone is encouraged to participate and enter floats. This year there will be two categories receiving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies. The first category is "Timpson High School Class Floats" and the second category will include all other Timpson ISD and community floats.

Homecoming activities continue Friday night with the crowning of the queen and introduction of the court and sweethearts at the football game. 
 

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces the 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off next Wednesday, September 24 with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.  These events usher in the season prior to the Festival opening Thursday, October 2.

Tickets for the Fajita Kick-Off Luncheon are $7 each, with sales to start at 11 a.m. next Wednesday until sold out. You can call-in orders to 598-3682, or fax orders to 598-5032, and you’re asked to have those orders in by today, Friday. Deliveries will be made for orders of 5 or more.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Event chairman and coordinator Billie Jones says entries will be accepted at First United Methodist Church in Center tomorrow, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry fee is $2 per entry. Categories include children, youth and adults. Photography show entry forms and rules can be picked up at the chamber office or online at shelbcountychamber.com.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the East Texas Poultry Festival. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com. 

Holly Springs Baptist Church on Hwy. 59, between Garrison and Appleby presents Welcome Home Freedom Feast, at 6 p.m., Saturday evening at the church gym. Guest Speaker is Dr. Sydney Kroll, advocate for Veterans Benefits. The event will celebrate American veterans and also serve as a welcome home for Vietnam veterans who never received a proper welcome home following the war. All Veterans and Family are welcome. The feast includes BBQ and fixins. The event is presented by Holly Springs Baptist Church Veterans Connect Group.

The Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite the public to their remembrance program for National POW/MIA Recognition Day, at 10 a.m. this morning at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Shelby County Courthouse in Center. The POW/MIA Flag that has flown there 24/7 for the last year will be retired and a new one hoisted. The names of veterans from Shelby County known to have at one time been a Prisoner of War and those still missing in action will be read.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for local business man, 80-year old Pat Buddin of Center. He passed away Thursday in San Augustine. Among his survivors is his wife, Peggy Buddin of Center. Pat Buddin was owner of Toledo Finance.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces a private memorial service was held earlier this week in Center for 85-year old Archie Thompson Buddin, Jr. He passed away Sept. 13 in Lufkin. Among Archie Thompson Buddin, Jr’s survivors are daughters, Melanie Lyons of Florida, Michell Buddin of South Carolina and Tiffany Buddin of Rosenberg; his late brother, Pat Buddin of Center; and sisters, Lois Ann Coker of South Carolina and Mary Gayle Paul of Ohio.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 70-year old Jimmy Glynn McMahon of Dallas. He passed away Wednesday. Local visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Watson & Sons Chapel, with interment at North Jericho Cemetery in Shelby County. Among Jimmy Glynn McMahon’s survivors are his wife, Judy McMahon of Dallas; son, Scotty McMahon of Joaquin; brother, Tommy McMahon of Center; and sister, Linda Moody of Center.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 86-year old Nolan Edward McDonald of Shelbyville. Service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Watson & Sons Chapel, with interment at West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelbyville.

Mangum Funeral Home announces a graveside service for 56-year old Paul Thomas Hudspeth of Center. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. today at Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home. The family will go in procession from the funeral home to Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County, leaving the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mangum Funeral Home for funeral expenses.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 89-year old Osis E. “Bub” Mitchell of Garrison. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Mitchell Cemetery in Walker County.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine announces service for 85-year old Lorine Wiatt of Lufkin. She passed away Wednesday in Lufkin. Service will be at 1 p.m. this afternoon at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with burial in Dickerson Cemetery in San Augustine County.

Rain, and lots of it cancelled the Center JV/Freshmen combined football game last night in Jasper. Report is the Jasper area received some 5 inches of rain yesterday.

It’s Week 4 of the high school football season, and tonight’s schedule has the 1-1 Center Roughriders at home taking on 1-2 Jasper at Roughrider Stadium. Center Broadcasting will have all the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE as Rob Payne, Chris Watlington and the Rider Radio Team handle the action beginning with the stadium pre-game at 7 p.m.

Also, one of the marquee games in East Texas has two state-ranked teams go head-to-head, as Class 2A’s #3 ranked Tenaha will be at Class 3A #10 ranked White Oak. Tenaha is 2-0, while White Oak is 3-0; Shelbyville goes to Colmesneil, Joaquin will be at Cayuga in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100, KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com with Don Wall’s call, and Timpson is open.

In addition, San Augustine goes to Groveton, New Diana at Garrison, and Logansport at Red River. In other area games Carthage at Gladewater and Burkeville at Hemphill. Nacogdoches and Lufkin, both have open dates.

The SFA Lumberjacks are home Saturday to play Weber State before the start of Southland Conference play. Kick-off at Homer Bryce Stadium is 6 p.m.

In volleyball, the Center Lady Riders will host Jasper at 4:30 p.m. today, and will be home against the Shelbyville Lady Dragons at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Timpson Lady Bears will open district this afternoon at home with Gary.

The Center Rider Varsity Tennis will be in Lindale Saturday morning.

Rider Cross Country will be at the New Summerfield Invitational Saturday.

There will be an antique and classic car show at McMahan’s Chapel, 10 miles east of San Augustine, Saturday. Registration gets underway at 8 a.m., with the show starting at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $20 for all vehicles. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, and fixins for $6 each. All proceeds go to McMahan’s Chapel.

Due to torrential downpours flooding the field, Jasper has had to cancel
tonight's game with the Freshmen and Junior Varsity Center Roughrider
Football Teams.

Arrest Report

9/17/14--/9/18/14

Shelby County:

Destini Glenn, 22, Center, Warrants-Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Ran a Stop Sign; Violate Promise to Appear & No Drivers License

Travis Wayne Patton, Jr., 23, Center, Warrants-Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, No Drivers License, Speeding & No Drivers License

San Augustine County:

Octavious Mosby, 22, Lufkin, Motion for Adjudication of Guilt

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Center ISD Board of Trustees agreed to renew the contract with the firm Walsh, Anderson, Gellegos, Green and Trevino as the law firm for special education and related services for the district at their meeting last Thursday.

The board also received a rough draft of a framework to implement a Center ISD Grow-Your-Own Teacher Certification program.

Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry said basically it’s a program where the district would cultivate and grow its own teachers. This would include high school coursework and assistance with college coursework. He said this is a concept that is being discussed and developed over a period of time, and there’s been no final decision. However, Dr. Hockenberry said it is worthy of continued discussion.

He also said that the new initiative, R3 “R to the third power” is developing the way the district had hoped, and they’re trying to raise awareness, and so far the response has been very positive.

In personnel matters, the board approved a leave of absence for Brittany Hall and BeBee Metcalf, employed Sarah Katie Martin as a substitute teacher, and approved emergency leave to Christopher Draper and Stephanie Helton.

The City of Timpson will have a new garbage collector at the first of the year, as the council gave approval to Progressive Waste Solutions from Kilgore at their meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Debra Smith said there will be little or no change in the monthly fee for residents, with the biggest plus being that each customer receives a roll-off container at no additional fee.

She said the city received 4 bids, with Progressives' being the lowest. Mayor Smith added Progressive Waste Solutions has some 250 commercial and municipal accounts across the region.

In addition the Fiscal Year 2014-15 Budget and Tax Rate were adopted for the City of Timpson. Mayor Smith said the new Tax Rate is up slightly at just over .31 cents ($0.313) per $100 valuation. She added Timpson property values took a million dollar hit with the closure of the concrete company earlier this year.

Approval was also given by the city council for the city attorney to prepare a bid proposal for the sale of the front portion of the city-owned property (the former Cobb Lumber Co. lot) adjacent to Hwy. 59, with a starting bid of $250,000.

News out of San Augustine is that San Augustine County District Attorney Kevin Dutton has dropped charges against a man and woman that were charged in connection with a church dispute in the county.

Dutton said after a jury found Margie Coffee not guilty of improperly executing a church deed, there was no reason to purse convictions against Terry Bishop and Ethel Husband.

All three were indicted on felony fraud charges in 2012, which dates back to 2011 when Coffee and her cousin Betty Clark decided to re-organize the Gloryland Pentecostal Church, which sits on land their grandparents deeded to the church.

The go-ahead was given to a one-time SFA employee to proceed with his federal civil lawsuit filed against the university.

The Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled Monday that former SFA Gallery director Christian Cutler can move forward with the legal matter against top university officials.

Cutler is saying he lost his job in 2010 for saying no to Congressman Louie Gohmer's request to judge an art show and referring to the politician as a "fear monger".

Cutler resigned, but later sued the University for violating his rights to free speech, saying his First Amendment rights were violated.

His attorney is saying the decision may lead to settlement talks.

The Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees has a special called meeting for 12 noon today, as Hellas Construction will make a presentation to the Shelbyville ISD Board concerning athletic turf at Dragon Stadium. The trustees are expected to consider for approval the athletic turf project at today's meeting. 

The "XYZ Homemakers Club" of Shelby County will be hosting a grief workshop during the lunch hour today. There will be a guest speaker that'll be sharing information on how to deal with losing a family member or close friend. The workshop starts at 11:30 a.m. today and will be held in the active Shelby County Courthouse in the second floor meeting room. Bring a sack lunch and listen, it's free! For more information on the event, contact the county extension office at 598-7744.

The San Augustine ISD is sponsoring a Fall Festival on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from noon to 3:30 p.m. There will be face painting, along with games and prizes behind the San Augustine Gym. Bring your family and friends. At 6 p.m. that evening the Band of the West from Lackland, Air Force Base in San Antonio will perform at the San Augustine Football Field. The concert is free and open to the public.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 86-year old Nolan Edward McDonald of Shelbyville. He passed away Wednesday in San Augustine. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Watson & Sons Chapel, with interment at West Hamilton Cemetery in Shelbyville. Among Nolan Edward McDonald’s survivors are sons, Larry & Gary McDonald, both of Center; daughter, Tammy Steptoe of Shelbyville; sisters, Bronice Curtis of Shelbyville, Garvis Raborn of Splendora, Jean Risinger of Shelbyville and Belva Hofmann of Magnolia; brothers, Howard McDonald of Houston and Gordon McDonald of Carthage; brother-in-law, Spencer Parker of Shelbyville; and sister-in-law, LaWanda Reynolds of Buna and Martha McDonald of Houston.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 101-year old Woodrow Wilson Foster of the Short Community. Service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, with interment at Short Cemetery, Center. A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Short Methodist Church or the Short Cemetery.

Mangum Funeral Home announces a graveside service for 56-year old Paul Thomas Hudspeth of Center. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mangum Funeral Home. The family will go in procession from the funeral home to Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County, leaving the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mangum Funeral Home for funeral expenses.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 71-year old Charlotte Jeanette Lunsford. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 2 p.m. this afternoon at First Baptist Church in Garrison, with service to follow at 2 p.m. at the church.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 89-year old Osis E. “Bub” Mitchell of Garrison. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mitchell Cemetery in Walker County.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine announces service for 84-year old Betty Pickard of San Augustine. Service will be at 2 p.m. today in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with interment in the Chumley Cemetery in San Augustine County. 

Sub-varsity football action tonight:

The Center Middle School Football teams will be facing Nacogdoches McMichael Middle School instead of Jasper. The games will all be played in Nacogdoches at McMichael Middle School with the 7th Grade B team starting at 4:30 PM, this afternoon. All 7th Grade A will follow immediately after B, then 8th Grade B team, and finishing with 8^th Grade A Team.

The Center Freshmen and JV football teams will combine for a single game versus the Jasper Bulldogs tonight. The game will be in Jasper at 6 PM.

In other games, the Shelbyville JV will take on the Carthage JV B Team at 4:30 in Carthage; the Tenaha Jr. High and JV teams will be home to play White Oak starting at 5 p.m., JV should start around 7:30 p.m.; the Joaquin Jr. High and JV are home against Cayuga at 5 p.m.; Timpson has an open date; and Garrison goes to New Diana in sub-varsity play.

This week’s varsity high school football schedule has the Center Roughriders wrapping up a three-game home stand as Jasper comes to Center. Center Broadcasting will have all the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE.

In addition, a couple of state-ranked teams go head-to-head as Class 2A #3 Tenaha goes to Class 3A #10 ranked White Oak.

Also, Shelbyville at Colmesneil, Joaquin at Cayuga in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100, KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com; Timpson has an open date, San Augustine goes to Groveton, New Diana at Garrison, and Logansport at Red River.

The SFA Lumberjacks are home Saturday to play Weber State before the start of Southland Conference play. Kick-off at Homer Bryce Stadium is 6 p.m.

In volleyball, the Center Lady Riders will host the Shelbyville Lady Dragons at 10 a.m. Saturday, while the Timpson Lady Bears are will open district tomorrow, Friday at home with Gary.

The Center Rider Varsity Tennis will be home today to take on Lufkin, and will be in Lindale Saturday morning.

There will be an antique and classic car show at McMahan’s Chapel, 10 miles east of San Augustine, on Saturday, Sept. 20. Registration gets underway at 8 a.m., with the show starting at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $20 for all vehicles. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, and fixins for $6 each. All proceeds go to McMahan’s Chapel. For more information call 936-288-0477 or 936-275-5542.

Due to water main break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Paxton/Jackson Water Plant, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. This is for the customers that were out of water on 9/16 and 9/17/2014 in the Lambert hill area on Hwy 7.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. 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, the 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.

By the way, the boil water notice issued last Friday, Sept. 12 for the Five Way Water Supply, has been lifted.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi at 936-590-9177 or 936-591-1205.

Joaquin ISD has called for an early release on Friday, September 19th.  School will be released at 1:20 and buses will run at this time.
Parents, please be prepared. Joaquin ISD apologizes for the short notice.

Arrest Report

9/16/14--/9/17/14

Shelby County:

Tirrell Tyler Sampson, 22, Marshall, Driving While Intoxicated

Monique Brown, 29, Shreveport, Bench Warrant

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Timpson woman has been indicted by a Shelby County Grand Jury for criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child by omission in connection to her toddler child’s drowning in a bath tub earlier this year.

The indictment was handed down last week charging 20-year old Leanne Jeanette Fox in connection with the death of 14-month old Trenton Deloy Parks.

We had reported after the incident occurred on April 27, that Fox and the child’s father, David Parks were awaken by a neighbor knocking on their door on County Road 4694 in the Rose Hill Community, and found the child in the tub with the faucets still running.

They said the child and its three-year old sibling were asleep when they decided to take a nap.

As of this morning, Fox had not turned herself in at the Shelby County Jail for processing.

The San Augustine County Sheriff's Office continues to search for a suspect in the shooting death of a man whose body was found in his burned out home in March.

Authorities say 62-year old Kavy Neil Sowell was shot several times and his house set on fire.

The Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel reported this week that Chief Deputy Gary Cunningham has said they've received information, but nothing useful.

In addition, San Augustine County officials are still reviewing information after the skeletal remains of a missing woman were found near FM 1196 and CR 347 by a forester in March.

The remains were identified as those of 31-year old Shunte Coleman of Cherokee County, who went missing in 2006.

Chief Cunningham said they have no formal suspect in that case. 

The City of Tenaha has notified Center Broadcasting the meeting that was scheduled for Monday afternoon has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 22 at 5:15 p.m. Mayor Orinthia Johnson says a quorum was not present and they'll meet next Monday.

Coping with the loss of a loved one affects all of us, some more than others. The "XYZ Homemakers Club" of Shelby County will be hosting a grief workshop during the lunch hour Thursday.

There will be a guest speaker that'll be sharing information on how to deal with losing a family member or close friend.

Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Jheri-Lynn Smith says to bring a sack lunch and listen, and there's no charge.

The workshop starts at 11:30 a.m. Thursday and will be held in the active Shelby County Courthouse in the second floor meeting room.

For more information on the event, contact the county extension office at 598-7744.

The 38th East Texas Poultry Festival Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, immediately following the Doo Dah Parade. Co-chairs Denise Merriman and Natalie Oswalt say the deadline for contest recipe is today, Wednesday, Sept. 17. The recipes are to be mailed or delivered to the chamber of commerce office or emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com. There are three categories for men, women and youth. For more call the chamber, 598-3682.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide is averaging $3.17 a gallon, that's down six cents in the past week, according to gasbuddy.com. In Louisiana, a gallon’s averaging $3.13, that’s six pennies cheaper than last week. Nationally, the average is $3.37, which is 17 cents less from the same time a year ago. Here at home, checking prices this morning in Center, the lowest we found was $3.16 at Wal-Mart, down seven cents in the past week. 

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 101-year old Woodrow Wilson Foster of the Short Community. He passed away Monday in Henderson. Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, with interment at Short Cemetery, Center. A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. prior to service. Among Woodrow Foster’s survivors is his daughter, Sara Beth Hancock of Henderson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Short Methodist Church or the Short Cemetery.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 85-year old Archie T. Buddin. He passed away Saturday in Lufkin.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 78-year old Larner B. “Buddy” Davis of Timpson. Service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Watson & Sons Chapel, with military honors graveside at Ashbury Chapel Cemetery in Center under the direction of VFW Post #8904.

Mangum Funeral Home announces a graveside service for 56-year old Paul Thomas Hudspeth of Center. He passed away Tuesday in San Augustine after a sudden illness. Graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Mangum Funeral Home. The family will go in procession from the funeral home to Old Sardis Cemetery in San Augustine County, leaving the funeral home at 3:30 p.m. Among Paul Thomas Hudspeth’s survivors are, children, Jerry Paul Hudspeth of Timpson, April Gilchrist of Center, Chrystal Crabtree of North Carolina, Justin Gibbs and Kelsey Gibbs, both of Center, and Mary Hancock of Nacogdoches; brothers and sisters, Jesse Hudspeth, Henry Hudspeth, Yancy Hudspeth, Claudia Faye McClelland, Nina Jo Walker and Frank Hudspeth.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 77-year old Ima “Biggie” Hendricks of Huxley. Service will be at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Mangum Funeral Home, with burial at Strong Cemetery in Huxley. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time today at Mangum Funeral Home.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 89-year old Osis E. “Bub” Mitchell of Garrison. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mitchell Cemetery in Walker County.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 71-year old Charlotte Jeanette Lunsford. She passed away Sunday in Dumas. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Garrison, with service to follow at 2 p.m. at the church.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine announces service for 84-year old Betty Pickard of San Augustine. She passed away Monday in San Augustine. Service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with interment in the Chumley Cemetery in San Augustine County. Visitation will be form 5 to 8 p.m. today at Wyman Roberts. Among Betty Pickard’s survivors are her daughter, Margie Brown of Texas City; sons, Tommy Pickard of San Augustine and Jerry Pickard of Rosevine; and her siblings, Elsie, Ida, David, Dickey, Freddy and Billy.

The AP High School Football Rankings are out heading into Week 4, and the Tenaha Tigers remain the No. 3 team in Class 2A, and Alto is ranked No. 17. Refugio and Mart respectively hold down the top-two spots. Cisco is the top team in Class 3A, and several East Texas teams in the mix, including Corrigan-Camden is No. 5, Kirbyville 6th, Waskom 8th, White Oak 10th, and Arp 13th. In 4A, Stephenville is still No. 1, West Orange-Stark 6th, Van 13th, Tatum 15, and Atlanta is 17. Also ranked are Gladewater at 19th, and Carthage No. 20. In 5A, Lufkin has dropped to 3rd, John Tyler is 7th, Whitehouse 17th, and Longview 21st. Allen is still No. 1 in 6A.

This week’s high school football schedule has the Center Roughriders wrapping up a three-game home stand as Jasper comes to Center. Center Broadcasting will have all the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE. In addition, Tenaha goes to White Oak, Shelbyville at Colmesneil, Joaquin at Cayuga in our Shelby County Game of the Week on Q-100, KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com; Timpson has an open date, San Augustine goes to Groveton, and Logansport at Red River.

In sub-varsity action Thursday, the Center Middle School Football teams will be facing Nacogdoches McMichael Middle School instead of Jasper. The games will all be played in Nacogdoches at McMichael Middle School with the 7th Grade B team starting at 4:30 PM, on Thursday, September 18. All 7th Grade A will follow immediately after B, then 8th Grade B team, and finishing with 8^th Grade A Team.

The Center Freshmen and JV football teams will combine for a single game versus the Jasper Bulldogs this Thursday, September 18th. The game will be in Jasper at 6 PM.

The SFA Lumberjacks are home Saturday to play Weber State before the start of Southland Conference play. Kick-off at Homer Bryce Stadium is 6 p.m.

In volleyball, the Center Lady Riders will host the Shelbyville Lady Dragons at 10 a.m. Saturday, while the Timpson Lady Bears are will open district Friday at home with Gary.

The Center Rider Varsity Tennis will be home Thursday to take on Lufkin, and will be in Lindale Saturday morning. The Rider JV Tennis team goes to Lufkin today.

Lillian Street between Highway 7 West and US Highway 96 S will be closed to through traffic for the next three to four weeks to accommodate for the removal of deteriorated storm drain and culverts under the roadway that partially collapsed earlier this year.  The renovation and reconstruction will only impact through traffic and all residents will have complete access to all driveways.  The renovation will take roughly three weeks depending on weather and unforeseen difficulties in the removal or reinstallation of
drainage structures. 

This project is being completed in conjunction with the City's annual street maintenance program which includes renovations on twenty-one streets throughout town this year.  This total project should be completed before the end of the year.

Arrest Report

9/15/14--/9/16/14

Shelby County:

Charles Chumbley, 48, Shelbyville, Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The San Augustine County Commissioners' Court held the last public hearing on the proposed new budget and tax rate Monday morning, and County Judge Sammye Johnson tells us the court will adopt both when they meet on Sept. 23. She said the proposed tax rate will stay the same as last fiscal year at $.460 per $100 valuation, despite a $250,000 shortfall in the budget. She said the budget process had not been an easy one.

Judge Johnson said cuts have been made in department's budget where they could, and there's no cost of living increases. She added it was decided by the commissioners' court to not raise the tax rate since county citizens are faced with other rising expenses on every front.

Commissioners also set salaries, expenses and other allowances of all elected county and precinct officers at Monday's meeting.

(To correct owner of bucket truck)

A two-vehicle accident Monday morning near San Augustine has taken the life of a Hemphill woman.

DPS Communications in Lufkin says 48-year old Marti Edgar-Pearson was traveling west on S.H. 21, some 3 miles east of San Augustine around 9:30 a.m. in a Chevrolet passenger car, when she crossed over the center stripe and struck an International bucket truck head-on, reported to be owned by a local internet provider, and driven by 42-year old Mike McCauley of San Augustine.

Ms. Pearson was dead at the scene.

A passenger in the truck, 42-year old Mark Trammel of San Augustine was uninjured.

McCauley was transferred to CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial in San Augustine with unknown injuries. 

The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate that took place in the Panola County Detention Center in Carthage Sunday afternoon.

According to the sheriff’s office, 18-year old Keith Dewayne Dean of Carthage was discovered in a single cell as lunch was being served.

It’s reported Dean was found slumped against the wall with a telephone receiver cord wrapped around his neck.

An autopsy is being conducted in Dallas. 

Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that an unknown person or persons is calling random people in the county and stating they are an IRS agent and attempting to get money from them, and they're reportedly saying if they do not, they will be at their doorsteps within 45 minutes to collect.

Sheriff Blackwell reminds you the IRS does not operate this way.

The caller appears to have a Middle Eastern accent. Do not give this person your personal, banking or credit card information over the phone.

Also, the sheriff's department has been informed of an asphalt company calling and wanting to pave your driveway for a small fee.

Sheriff Blackwell says to be very cautious of these people, as they have in the past, taken advantage of people, especially the elderly. 

As part of the replacement project of the U.S. Hwy. 84 Sabine River Bridge in Logansport, TxDOT says they are planning to move traffic today.

TxDOT’s Kathi White informs us that Hwy. 84 eastbound traffic will be shifted to the left westbound lane from approximately 1,700 feet west of FM 2787 toward the bridge, and the outside lane of Hwy. 84/Main Street in Logansport will be closed from Third Street to just east of LA 5. Once the switch occurs, traffic will remain in the configuration until Oct. 2015.

Ms. White says the contractor is currently working on the eastbound bridge. Earthwork and drainage structures are being constructed for the eastbound lanes of 84 in Louisiana.

She added work is expected to start soon on the LA 5 intersection.

If you travel U.S. Hwy. 59 to Nacogdoches, beware of road work going on this week. A roadway milling operation is under way between Nacogdoches and Garrison. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announces planned closures on the project.

According to TxDOT, the contractor, Drewery Construction of Nacogdoches, will conduct mill and inlay and base repairs on sections of the road before applying a seal coat and new striping. Starting Thurs., Sept. 18, motorists can expect various ramp closures daily at the Business 59/U.S. 259 and U.S. 59 interchange.

The work continues on September 19th and 22nd.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through this work zone. Look for message boards and other traffic control devices in place to provide additional advanced warning of the project.

The Timpson City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, and among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be solid waste contract bids; adoption of the Final Budget and Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2014-15; and the Child Safety Seat Fee check in the amount of $583.88 to donate to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center.

The Timpson City Council will also discuss and possible take action on the sale of a portion of city-owned property, the former Cobb Lumber Co. land the city purchased a several months ago.

The Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees has wasted no time is addressing the possibility of athletic turf at Dragon Stadium, again.

Superintendent Dr. Ray West told Center Broadcasting last week the item may come up for board approval within a couple of weeks, well, that time frame closed quickly as Hellas Construction will make a presentation to the Shelbyville ISD Board in a special called meeting at 12 noon Thursday.

The trustees are expected to consider for approval the athletic turf project at that meeting. 

The turf issue was first discussed by the Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees earlier this year, with no decision made.

In conjunction with National Child Passenger Safety Week, DPS in Nacogdoches is offering a free car seat check-up from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday at the Brookshire Brothers on South Street in Nacogdoches. Car seats will be provided at no charge to those that stop by the event whose seat may be improper, or to those that can't afford a proper child seat.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership meeting at noon today at the Log Cabin. Caterer for the meal is the Pinto Pony, with the Business of the Month, Twins Lakes Care Center/The El Camino House. They will present the program, “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”.

An open conversation about atheism will take place at Lifetree Café at 6 p.m. Thursday. The program titled “What Your Atheist Friend Wants You to Know: The Conversation No One is Having,” includes a film featuring atheists’ honest insight about their beliefs and their experiences with people of faith. Admission is free to the one-hour event. Lifetree Café is located at The Little Fox Marketplace in downtown Center.

An online photo contest ‘Selfie with Rooster Revel 2014’ has been launched by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.  The rules are simple! ·Submit a selfie with all of the Rooster Revel 2014 metal art silhouettes and post on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page at ShelbyChamber during the submission period between Tuesday, September 16, at 12:00 a.m. and Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. 

·The first person who posts their selfies with all 20 Rooster Revel 2014 will receive $100 cash prize.

·The Winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 24, at the Rooster Revel auction beginning at 6:00 p.m. and posted on the chamber’s Facebook page.

Grab your smartphone, snap a photo and post all your 20 selfie photos with Rooster Revel 2014.

For more information and photo contest details, please contact the chamber office at 936-598-3682 or via info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The Rooster Revels are located in Center at both locations of Ace Hardware, Center Glass, Chaps, Borders Poultry Supply, Windham Dental Clinic, East Texas Poultry Supply, Farmers State Bank in Center, Holiday Nursing Center, LPL Financial Services, Masterson Insurance, McAdams Propane, Printing & Design Etc., Inc., Sabine State Bank, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Shelby Savings Bank , State Farm Insurance, The Little Fox Marketplace, and Town and Country Real Estate.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 101-year old Woodrow Foster of the Short Community. The long-time local artist passed away Monday in Henderson. That’s pending service for Woodrow Foster at Watson & Sons.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 85-year old Archie T. Buddin. He passed away Saturday in Lufkin. Among Archie T. Buddin’s survivors is a brother, Pat Buddin of Center.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 78-year old Larner B. “Buddy” Davis of Timpson. He passed away Sunday at his residence. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening at Watson & Sons Funeal Home. Service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Watson & Sons Chapel, with military honors graveside at Ashbury Chapel Cemetery in Center under the direction of VFW Post #8904. Among Larner B. "Buddy" Davis' survivors are his wife, Lela Davis of Timpson; children, Steve Dewayne Davis, Kathy Lynn Burch, Rhonda Ann Babineaux, Tonya Jean Romero, Donnie Aaron Davis and Monica Ann Lantier, all of Louisiana; and a stepson, Jody Ray Grubbs of Timpson.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 77-year old Ima “Biggie” Hendricks of Huxley. She passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Medical Center. She was a resident of Green Acres Nursing Home. Service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home, with burial at Strong Cemetery in Huxley. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. this evening, and from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Ima “Biggie” Hendricks’ survivors are, daughters Teresa Jones and Linda Jansen, both of Huxley; and sisters, Billie Hooper of Shelbyville, Mary Guidroz of Vidor and Linda Rachal of Natchitoches.

Garrison Funeral Home announces service for 89-year old Osis E. “Bub” Mitchell of Garrison. He passed away Sunday at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Mitchell Cemetery in Walker County. Among Osis E. “Bub” Mitchell’s survivors are brothers, H.M. Mitchell of Garrison and L.C. Mitchell of Timpson; and sister, Nancy Taylor of Port Arthur.

It's Tuesday and Don Wall's Shelby County Coaches' Show airs tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. on Q-100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

This week’s high school football schedule has the Center Roughriders wrapping up a three-game home stand as Jasper comes to Center, Tenaha goes to White Oak, Joaquin at Cayuga, Shelbyville at Colmesneil, Timpson has an open date, San Augustine at Groveton, and Logansport at Red River.

In sub-varsity action Thursday, the Center Middle School Football teams will be facing Nacogdoches McMichael Middle School instead of Jasper. The games will all be played in Nacogdoches at McMichael Middle School with the 7th Grade B team starting at 4:30 PM, on Thursday, September 18. All 7th Grade A will follow immediately after B, then 8th Grade B team, and finishing with 8^th Grade A Team.

The Center Freshmen and JV football teams will combine for a single game versus the Jasper Bulldogs this Thursday, September 18th. The game will be in Jasper at 6 PM.

The Center High School Boys and Girls Cross Country teams participated in the Elysian Fields Invitational last Saturday. Led by Sophomore Marlen Angel, the Girls team had a great performance placing 5th. Placing top 10 out of 90 individually were boys team members Arnol Escobedo placing 6th, Ruben Soto 9th and Giovani Angel placing 2nd setting a personal best at 16:27 minutes crossing the finish line. The Boys placed 1st out of 9 teams. This was their first big win of the season. Both teams will travel to New Summerfield this Saturday.

In volleyball, the Center Lady Riders will host Jefferson starting at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, while the Timpson Lady Bears are home against Waskom beginning at 4:30 p.m. in their final warm-up before the start of district Friday at home with Gary.

The Center Rider Varsity Tennis will be home Thursday to take on Lufkin, and will be in Lindale Saturday morning. The Rider JV Tennis team goes to Lufkin today.

An online photo contest ‘Selfie with Rooster Revel 2014’ has been launched beginning Tuesday, September 16, 2014 sponsored by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.  The rules are simple!

·         Submit a selfie with all of the Rooster Revel 2014 metal art silhouettes and post on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page at ShelbyChamber during the submission period between Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 12:00 a.m. and Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.

·         The first person who posts their selfies with all 20 Rooster Revel 2014 will receive $100 cash prize.

·         The Winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at the Rooster Revel auction beginning at 6:00 p.m. and posted on the chamber’s Facebook page.

·         Grab your smartphone, snap a photo and post all your 20 selfie photos with Rooster Revel 2014.

For more information and photo contest details, please contact the chamber office at 936-598-3682 or via info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote and advance economic enrichment and development, tourism and the social and civic interest of Shelby County and adjoining areas.  

The Ribbon Cutting scheduled for the Hope Dental Clinic this Friday, September 19 has been postponed.  The clinic is expecting shipment of a new, state-of-the-art pediatric dental chair, which has been delayed.  The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will announce the rescheduled date as soon as it is slated.

Arrest Report

9/12/14--/9/15/14

Shelby County:

Stefan Pridgen, 24, Joaquin, Warrant-Driving While Intoxicated

Kristen Shelby McCoy, 22, Center, Warrant-Assault Causing Bodily Injury

JaKelvin Bussey, 21, Timpson, Criminal Mischief & Assault

Dana Gibson, 31, Joaquin, Driving While Intoxicated-1st

San Augustine County:

Zhikavan M. Wilson, 20, San Augustine, State Jail Ready

Tevin S. Ryan, 24, San Augustine, Driving While Intoxicated & Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Minor in Possession

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Voters of the Joaquin ISD said “no” to passage or “ratification” to restructuring the district’s current tax rate Saturday.

The issued failed 232 to 123. Superintendent Phil Worsham had told Center Broadcasting if the measure had passed, it would allow the Joaquin ISD to receive additional state funding without increasing local property taxes.

He added without the revenue increases, maintaining the same level of programs and educational standards for Joaquin ISD students would not be possible.

As for what’s the next step, Worsham had said the district would likely go back to voters again in hopes of passage.

It was hoped the ratification triggered an increase in funding for operations of $400,000.

The former owner of Shelby Regional Medical Center has had his medical license suspended by the Texas Medical Board.

The TMB announced the decision in a press release Friday, as 63-year old Tariq Mahmood was among 41 Texas physicians that received disciplinary action at the board's August meeting.

After being indicted on 15 counts of health care fraud in July, he was convicted by a jury for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. He's still awaiting sentencing.

The Texas Medical Board said Mahmood indicated his desire to voluntarily suspend his medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings stemming from fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims.

As part of the replacement project of the U.S. Hwy. 84 Sabine River Bridge in Logansport, TxDOT says they are planning to move traffic on Tuesday.

TxDOT’s Kathi White informs us that Hwy. 84 eastbound traffic will be shifted to the left westbound lane from approximately 1,700 feet west of FM 2787 toward the bridge, and the outside lane of Hwy. 84/Main Street in Logansport will be closed from Third Street to just east of LA 5. Once the switch occurs, traffic will remain in the configuration until Oct. 2015.

Ms. White says the contractor is currently working on the eastbound bridge. Earthwork and drainage structures are being constructed for the eastbound lanes of 84 in Louisiana.

She added work is expected to start soon on the LA 5 intersection.

Friday night’s thunderstorm activity that moved into the area from the southwest, brought with it a number of electrical power outages. Deep East Texas Electric Co-op’s Brittney Johnson reports approximately 1,000 scattered outages in Shelby County and 200 in Nacogdoches County occurred. She said in addition, the co-op had three broken poles in Hemphill that affected some 200 members. The power outage, as well as the dangerous lightning affected the resuming of the Center-Garrison football game at Roughrider Stadium, as the game was called. The weather was also responsible for games being cancelled in Tenaha and Timpson.

The Shelby County 4-H held its annual Gold Star Banquet Sunday afternoon at the Shelbyville ISD Cafeteria and receiving the club's "I Dare You" Award were Justin O'Rear of Shelbyville and Clarissa Menefee of Tenaha.

Justin is the son of Larry and Stacy O'Rear and Clarissa's parents are Mitch and Shannon Menefee.

The 4-H Gold Star Award was presented to Konner Windham, the daughter of Kyle and Jan Windham, and Tory Davis, the daughter of Holli Barbee. 

The Friend of 4-H Award was presented to Shelby County Judge Rick Campbell.

The San Augustine County Commissioners' Court will have public hearing on the proposed Budget at 9 a.m. this morning. Commissioners are also to discuss and take appropriate action to set salaries, expenses and other allowances of all elected county and precinct officers. After which time, San Augustine County Commissioners are expected to take action on adoption of the Budget and Tax Rate.

The Tenaha City Council will discuss refurbishing the police department, in addition to closing of right-of- way on Main Street when they meet at 5:15 p.m. this afternoon. Marie and Victor Crawford are to address the council in regards to the closure.

In addition, Tenaha Council will have discussion and possible action on a storage building, and disposing of a building at 122 N. Center Street.

The Fiscal Year 2014-15 City Budget and Tax Rate is also expected to be adopted.

The Tenaha ISD Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. today, and among the agenda items for consideration and approval will be the annual Investment Policy and Strategies CDA; and in closed session will discuss district employees and officers, including the superintendent's evaluation. Any action will be done so in open session.

The Joaquin ISD Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, and among the agenda items for consideration will be approving the Investment Broker's List and Review Policy; and appointment of Student Health Advisory Committee Members. The board may also go into executive session, and any action to be taken will be done so in open session.

This is National Child Passenger Safety Week, and the observance provides an opportunity for parents to make sure they're transporting their children safely. It's reported 3 out of 4 car seats are not used correctly.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service County Extension Agent Jheri-Lynn Smith says the DPS in Nacogdoches is offering a free car seat check-up from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday at the Brookshire Brothers on South Street in Nacogdoches.

She added car seats will be provided at no charge to those that stop by the event whose seat may be inproper, or to those that can't afford a proper child seat.

The annual Eta Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi chicken dinner fundraiser will be held this afternoon, Monday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Center Square. The cost per dinner plate is $7 and will include grilled chicken prepared by the Shelby County Cookers, baked beans, potato salad and dessert. The fundraiser is held annually to benefit the Ginny Mallory Wright Scholarship Fund. Each year, Eta Rho awards deserving high school seniors with a scholarship to use at the college of their choice. If your business would like to purchase tickets and have dinners dropped off at the business within the Center city limits before 5 p.m., contact Misty Wilburn at 591-2588 or Kim McElroy at 488-8643. 

The Poultry Festival Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, immediately following the Doo Dah Parade. Co-chairs Denise Merriman and Natalie Oswalt say the deadline for contest recipe is Wednesday, Sept. 17. The recipes are to be mailed or delivered to the chamber of commerce office or emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com. There are three categories for men, women and youth. For more call the chamber, 598-3682.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 78-year old Larner B. “Buddy” Davis of Timpson. He passed away Sunday at his residence.

The Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite the public to their remembrance program for National POW/MIA Recognition Day, this Friday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Historic Shelby County Courthouse in Center. The POW/MIA Flag that has flown there 24/7 for the last year will be retired and a new one hoisted. The names of veterans from Shelby County known to have at one time been a Prisoner of War and those still missing in action will be read.

Weather got the best of local high school football last Friday night, as the Center-Garrison, Tenaha-Shelbyville, and Timpson-Beckville games were all cancelled as lightning continually danced around the respective playing fields, or power was lost, as was the case in Center. The games were all halted by officials after they had started, and all declared “no contests”.

The San Augustine Wolves drop to 0-3 after Dallas Episcopal takes a 63-34 win Saturday.

In other area games, the Logansport Tigers are 1-1 after a 29-26 win over Lakeview; Nacogdoches over Carthage, 34-14; Hemphill beats West Hardin, 50-0; Elysian Fields over West Sabine, 34-6; West Orange-Stark beats Jasper, 34-7; and Lufkin loses to River Ridge John Curtis of Louisiana 32-25 Saturday in Shreveport.

This week’s schedule has Jasper at Center, Tenaha at White Oak, Joaquin at Cayuga, Shelbyville at Colmesneil, Timpson has an open date, San Augustine at Groveton, and Logansport at Red River.

The SFA Lumberjacks are 2-1 on the season after a 38-17 win against Texas A&M-Commerce at Homer Bryce Stadium Saturday night.

Voters of the Joaquin ISD failed to pass the Tax Ratification issue Saturday by a vote of 232-132. Superintendent Phil Worsham was unvailable for comment as to what the next step may be for the Joaquin ISD. He had told Center Broadcasting that the  only way to continue providing the programs at their current levels at JISD was to have passage of the issue, since state funding has been decreased.

We'll have more on this as details become available.

Today: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 10 mph. 

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph. 

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph. 

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph. 

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. 

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Week 3 High School Football Results

Called games due to weather, declared "no contest"

Garrison 0  Center 6

Shelbyville 8  Tenaha 0

Beckville 7  Timpson 0

Saturday Games

San Augustine @ Dallas Episcopal 4 p.m.

Marshall vs. Bossier Parkway 11 a.m. @ Shreveport

Lufkin vs. John Curtis (La)  2 p.m. @ Sherveport

Diboll @ Crockett 1 p.m.

Finals

Lakeview 26  Logansport 29

Nacogdoches 34  Carthage 14

Henderson 50  Rusk 21

Elysian Fields 34  West Sabine 6

Gilmer 41  Tatum 35

Hemphill 50  West Hardin 0

Pine Tree 7  Kilgore 40

Jacksonville 50  Mt. Pleasant 48

John Tyler 31  Tyler Lee 37

Union Grove 42  Mt. Enterprise 6

Cushing 52  Burkeville 14

Waskom 49  Hughes Springs 29

Fairfield 49  Palestine 21

Daingerfield 7  Atlanta 51

Brook Hill vs. Alto Cancelled

Due to line repair, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had required the Five-Way Water System to notify customers of the need to boil water before consumption. The system says this is for customers south of Spurr 699. 

When it's no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system wil notify you that the water is safe for consumption.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince DiVerdi at 936-590-9177 or 936-591-1205.

EXPECT ISOLATED SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE ACROSS
PORTIONS OF THE AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. STRONGER STORMS MAY
PRODUCE BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING.

Arrest Report

9/11/14--9/12/14

Shelby County:

Denise Lashun Noble, 40, Center, Warrant-Forgery

Terry Gene Burch, 39, Center, Warrant-Theft by Check

Robert Carroll Thomason, 23, Timpson, Warrant-Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child

Trevor Dean Knigge, 24, Garrison, Bench Warrant-Original Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance

Shamus Ross, 35, Center, Warrant-Driving While Intoxicated-3^rd Offense

Massaud Williams, 36, Nacogdoches, Possession of Marijuana

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The morning of Wednesday, September 13, 1978 started out just like the

other first mild days of September with the high temperatures in the low

eighties and the lows in the high sixties and lower seventies. It was cloudy

that morning with a seventy percent chance of rain. We had five small

showers the first twelve days of the month and all of them only measured

three fourths of an inch.

The summer had been hot and dry for we had only a little over ten inches of

rainfall in June, July and August with one third of that falling in one day

the last week of August. We had eighteen days in July with 100+

temperatures and three more in August so we were also dry.

The rainfall that occurred on August 28th and 29th measured 3.63 inches

and covered a large area of Shelby County filling up the small streams and

farm ponds. This heavy rain played a great part in what was on the way.

Wednesday morning on the 13th of September at 5:00 a.m. a front moved in

and stalled right on top of Center. The rainfall started as just a good,

steady rain and then gained momentum with a gentle roar and did not slack

off. At 7:00 a.m. on the morning of September 14th when measuring the

rainfall we had received 6.50 inches of rain and it was still pouring. By 3:00

p.m. we had received 9.20 inches. The rain continued to fall and in 22

hours I measured 15.70 inches in my rain gauge.

The U.S. Weather Service rain gauge is a 24 inch tall and 8 inch in diameter

metal cylinder with a sharp edged bronze funnel shaped cap that channels

the rain into a 20 inch tal4r} inch diameter tube which holds two inches

rainfall. When the smaller tube is full the overflow is contained inside the

larger part of the rain gauge. When measuring more than 2 inches of rain I

remove it and stand it up beside the larger one and pour the rainfall from

the larger cylinder into the small one until all of it is measured.

During about five hours of that heavy rainfall I feel certain I could have lost

an inch or more in measuring it. The best way to describe trying to

measure this rainfall was to be standing underneath a waterfall trying to

accurately keep the rain and waterfall separated!

Before daylight until 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning the rain continued and

began falling more intensely. That morning you could not leave Center or

travel to Center by vehicle. Numerous streets in Center were flooded and

closed to traffic.

I needed to go to the Fire Station located on the Center Square but water

was four to five feet deep at the railroad overpass on Louisiana Street at

9:00 a.m. Most of Shelbyville Highway and FM 417 were also under water.

One stretch of the highway near the creek bridge at Shelbyville was

completely gone clear down to the road base.

U.S. 96 south was just like a large lake looking from Dr. Hooker's home

south as far as one could see. U"S. 7 west was a small lake just past the City

Limit Sign after you left the hill headed for the creek bridge.

You could forget traveling F'M 138 and for awhile it was not possible to

travel to the Pine Terrace subdivision. Areas of the Timpson highway were

under water but except for a spot or two it was the most passable highway

in the count5r. U.S. 96 north had a number of deep water areas. Boat races

could have been held on a few miles of FM 699 completely under water.

For a short period of time it was impossible to travel on Highway 7 East to

the airport. The Flat Fork Creek area was another small lake area and

blocked by high water for many hours.

I was finally able to go uptown to the fire station just before noon on

Thursday as the rain had slacked off to just a slow, steady rain.

The fire department emergency phone received about ten calls in about a

thirty minute period with people reporting a strong odor of gasoline in the

downtown and surrounding area of Center.

A few minutes later someone walked into the fire station and asked if we

knew that the full gasoline tanks where the 711 convenience store was

under construction had floated up out of the ground, turned over and

dumped thousands of gallons of gasoline in the drainage ditches flowing

through a large area of Center. One small spark from anything could have

meant extreme disaster for a huge area of Center.

These two days of rain will always remain in my memory.

Joaquin ISD voters will go to the polls Saturday for a Tax Ratification Election.

The Joaquin ISD Board is giving voters the opportunity to restructure the district's current tax rate by adopting a rate just over 2-cents less than the previous year.

Superintendent Phil Worsham said the adopted tax rate would allow JISD to receive additional state funding without increasing local property taxes. He said without the revenue increases, maintaining the same level of programs and educational standards for Joaquin ISD students would not be possible.

With taxpayer support or "ratification" the tax rate formula increases the taxes assessed on the operations side and lowers the taxes on the debt payment side which would trigger an increase in funding for operations of $400,000.

Polling locations include the Joaquin ISD Administration Building and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Department. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Any questions concerning the Joaquin ISD Tax Ratification Election should be directed to Worsham at 269-3128.

By the way, 155 ballots were cast during early voting.

An evidentiary hearing has been set for later this month in the Federal lawsuit against Timpson Mayor Debra Smith.

She was named in the suit filed by Councilman George Grace earlier this summer claiming voter discrepancies.

Grace was defeated by Ms. Smith in May's mayoral election, and he's seeking $1,800 in campaign expenses, and was asking for free legal representation, which has been denied.

Grace alleges in the lawsuit there were seven voters in the election that were not legal to cast ballots.

Ms. Smith defeated Grace, 128 to 64.

The evidentiary hearing is set for 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 26 at the U.S. Courthouse in Lufkin. 

The San Augustine County Commissioners' Court will have public hearing on the proposed Budget at 9 a.m. Monday morning. Commissioners are also to discuss and take appropriate action to set salaries, expenses and other allowances of all elected county and precinct officers. After which time, San Augustine County Commissioners are expected to take action on adoption of the Budget and Tax Rate.

The Tenaha ISD Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, and among the agenda items for consideration and approval will be the annual Investment Policy and Strategies CDA; and in closed session will discuss district employees and officers, including the superintendent's evaluation. Any action will be done so in open session.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce will have their 12th annual Civic Auction tomorrow night with the theme, "Guns and Glitter". The event is the chamber's biggest fundraiser.

There will be a live and silent auction, raffle items and a number of other games.  “Early Bird Special” tickets can be purchased at the chamber office until 5 p.m. this afternoon. For $75 you get 40 raffle tickets, and buying early you have a chance to win a drawing for a charcoal grill. T

he Civic Auction will be held at the San Augustine County Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30, and the fun, games and auction at 7 p.m.

The dinner will be a barbecue prepared by the San Augustine County Go-Texans.

Tickets are $25 per person. Contact the chamber at 275-3610, or you can get tickets at the door Saturday night.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce Civic Auction is sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank.

The Tenaha Beautification and Events Committee will have their annual Festival Along the Tracks tomorrow.

The festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the square in Tenaha.

The event features an apple cook-off open to kids and adults with monetary prize plus ribbons. Organizers say there's a $10 entry fee, and it can be anything apple related and homemade. Your entry must be in by 11 a.m. Saturday, with judging at 11:30 a.m. T

here will be vendors, a domino tournament, along with a scavenger hunt with a $500 prize to the winner. You must be present for all clues and to win.

In addition there will be a motorcycle and car show.

For more information on Tenaha's Festival Along the Tracks, contact Linda Perry at 248-2681or Becky Barker at 248-5807.

Huxley Helping Hands, the local mission group from the Huxley Community is holding a food pantry for Shelby County residents at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 901 Southview Circle in Center. The food pantry is every month on the Saturday following the second Wednesday of the month. Identification, current proof of residency and proof of income is required for new enrollment. Every recipient of food must present a valid ID (must have a note with ID if picking up food for someone else). Only one box per household will be given. 

Bible teacher and best-selling author Beth Moore will be featured in a live Internet streaming event tomorrow at Holly Springs Baptist Church, between Garrison and Appleby on U.S. Hwy. 59. The Living Proof Live Simulcast will be held from 8:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, which covers one full day of music and worship; sessions led by Ms. Moore; lunch and opportunities for fellowship with other women from all over East Texas and Western Louisiana. Women may purchase tickets at the Holly Spring Church office, or online at hsbc-tx.com

The annual Eta Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi chicken dinner fundraiser will be held Monday, September 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Center Square. The cost per dinner plate is $7 and will include grilled chicken prepared by the Shelby County Cookers, baked beans, potato salad and dessert.

The fundraiser is held annually to benefit the Ginny Mallory Wright Scholarship Fund. Each year, Eta Rho awards deserving high school seniors with a scholarship to use at the college of their choice.

If your business would like to purchase tickets and have dinners dropped off at the business within the Center city limits before 5 p.m., contact Misty Wilburn at 591-2588 or Kim McElroy at 488-8643. 

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 92-year old Willie Mae Bush of Center. She passed away Thursday at her residence. That's pending service for Willie Mae Bush of Center at Watson & Sons.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces a graveside service for 90-year old Clarise Henry of Tenaha. She passed away Wednesday at her residence. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at County Line Cemetery in Rusk County. Among Clarise Henry's survivors are, daughters, Shirley Gilmore of Hebert, Louisiana, Judy Green of Tenaha and Kathy Bryce of Caledonia; sons, James Owens of Mt. Pleasant, Junior Owens of Tenaha and Tony Henry of Tenaha.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 71-year old Timothy Blaine Foehner of Center. He passed away Wednesday in Tyler. Service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Watson & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, with interment at McClelland Cemetery in Shelbyville. A visitation will be held prior to service, beginning at 1 p.m. Among Timothy Blaine Foehner's survivors is a son, Rick Foehner of Shelbyville. Memorial donations may be made in Timothy Blaine Foehner’s name to The McDade House of Shreveport, 1825 Warrington Place, Shreveport, 71101.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 77-year old Fred Glynn Cruse of Center. He passed away Thursday at his residence in the James Community. Service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at Jackson Cemetery in Joaquin. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Fred Glynn Cruse's survivors are his wife, Barbara Griffin Cruse of Center; and step-children, Leisha Sowell of Joaquin, Donald Sigler of Center, Amy Trent of Timpson and Elizabeth Mitchell of Temple.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces service for 15-year old Miss Lashasta Takiffany Johnson of Tenaha. She was a sophomore at Tenaha High School. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church in Tenaha with interment at St. John Cemetery.

In sub-varsity football last night, it was a sweep by the Center teams over Garrison. The 7^th grade Roughriders take a 3-0 win, with the 8^th grade coming away with a 32-0 decision, and in the Freshmen/JV game, the Riders win, 26-22.

Tonight’s varsity action has the Center Roughriders at home against the Garrison Bulldogs. Both teams are 1-1 and coming off losses last week. Tune in to KDET online at cbc-radio.com or 92.5 KXXE as Rob Payne, Chris Watlington and the Rider Radio Team bring you the action starting with the stadium pre-game at 7 p.m.

In our Shelby County Game of the Week, it's a battle of two county unbeatens, as the Shelbyville Dragons will be in Tenaha to play the #3-ranked Tigers at The Pit. Don Wall has the play-by-play on Q100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

Elsewhere, the 0-2 Timpson Bears have their home opener with 2-0 Beckville, the Joaquin Rams have an open date, and the 0-2 San Augustine Wolves have a Saturday afternoon game in Dallas against the Episcopal School of Dallas at 4 p.m. In other area games, the 0-1 Logansport Tigers have their home opener against Lakeview, Nacogdoches at Carthage, Hemphill at West Hardin, and Lufkin plays John Curtis of Louisiana at 2 p.m. Saturday at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

The SFA Lumberjacks are 1-1 on the season and are home Saturday night to play Texas A&M-Commerce at Homer Bryce Stadium. Kick-off is 6 p.m.

Arrest Report

9/10/14--9/11/14

Shelby County:

Emerson S. Evans, 50, Center, Driving While Intoxicated-3^rd or more & Resisting Arrest

Tynae Swindle, 26, Shelbyville, Warrant-Assault Causing Bodily Injury

Delond Barnes, 22, Center, Warrant-Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

San Augustine County:

Billy O. Clements, 28, Broaddus, Public Intoxication, Criminal Trespass & Failure to ID

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Today is “Patriot Day” in the United States, known in full as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. It occurs on Sept. 11 each year, designated in memory of the 2, 977 killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

To pay respect to those that lost their lives, Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite citizens of Shelby County and surrounding communities to join them at their annual Patriot Day Observance at 9:30 a.m. this morning at the Veterans Memorial, located on the grounds of the Historic Shelby County Courthouse.

Remarks will be given by Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell, Center Chief of Police Jim Albers and Jessie Griffith of ACE EMS. There will be a memorial wreath laying and bagpipes by Joaquin Mayor Mike Wood.

The program will close at 9:46, the time the first airliner crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, with playing of Taps.

If you can't make the observance, you're asked to take a moment and remember the innocent people who lost their lives 13 years ago.

By the way, according to national law, flags are to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown, Thursday, If you fly a flag outside that cannot be lowered respect for the day can be shown by tying a black rope or ribbon at the top of the flag staff.

The Tenaha ISD and Tenaha community is mourning the death of a high school student that passed away Tuesday night after reportedly collapsing.

The school district tells us 15-year old Sophomore, LaShasta Johnson died at ETMC in Carthage from possible complications associated with Sickle Cell Anemia. An exact cause of death is not known.

According to TISD Administrative Secretary Brenda Lucas, LaShasta was a very popular and active student. She was in the band and member of the Tiger Doll dance team and she’ll be greatly missed.

Counselors were on the high school campus Wednesday assisting with grieving students and staff.

Funeral service for LaShasta Johnson will be 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church in Tenaha.  

Superintendent Scott Tyner tells us that all extra-curricular activities, including tonight and Friday night’s football games will go on as scheduled against Shelbyville.

State Rep. Chris Paddie was in Center yesterday for a joint luncheon with the Center Noon Lions Club, Center Rotary Club and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. He discussed with Dist. 9 constituents some issues the state legislature will be addressing when it convenes in January for its biennial session.

Among those challenges includes transportation, education and water. Rep. Paddie said "Fortunately Texas is in good shape financially thanks to the oil and gas industry doing so well.

"We do have money, the questions are how do we spend efficiently and prudently on the services and priorities of this state, and the priorities my constituents have."

He said hearing from the folks at home and aligning to those needs are key.

"Most of the good ideas and solutions come from back home, not in Austin. He said he wanted to hear from the people he represents, that he was in line with their values and what concerns they have.

Rep. Paddie's was elected in 2013, and his house district includes Shelby, Sabine, Cass, Harrison, Marion and Panola counties.

According to a story online in ShelbyCountyToday.com, inventory is being taken on the former Shelby Regional Medical Center.

The story says 123rd District Judge Charles "Brick" Dickerson assigned a court appointed receiver to do a complete inventory of the facility last month.

The article states that everyone with medical records stored at the facility will be notified by mail and by public notice as to when and where they can be claimed.

It’s reported the process the receiver follows is dictated by the court, and was spurred by a motion of entry of default filed by Wells Fargo Bank against Shelby Medical Holdings and Tariq Mahmood in the amount of $1.251 million, as well as additional fees and expenses.

The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office is investigating a gruesome attack by two pit bull dogs that left an eight year old child and an elderly woman recovering from dog bite wounds.

According to a press release from Sheriff Jason Bridges, the dogs had apparently escaped out of a back yard fence through a hole after dark at a home on CR 8113.

Another child had asked the victim to help look for her lost dogs. When the two split up to search, that's when the two dogs came running up to the victim and began to jump on her.

As the child attempted to run away, she fell, and the dogs began attacking her. An elderly woman heard the attack, came running and lay on top of the child. However, the dogs continued to attack both. Another neighbor eventually used a baseball bat to beat the dogs off.

Both victims are reported to be in stable condition.

The dog owner voluntarily surrendered both animals to the Nacogdoches Sheriff's Office and Nacogdoches Animal Shelter.

Sheriff Bridges said that both animals will be put down.

The Center ISD Board of Trustees have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. this evening, and among the agenda items for discussion and approval will be a local policy update; community engagement to community advocacy; and retaining the law firm of Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green and Trevnio for special legal services for the school year. In addition, CISD Trustees will have discussion on the new character motto: Rider to the Power of Three - Riders are Respectful and Responsible; and CISD Grow-Your-Own Teacher certification program.

Joaquin ISD voters will go to the polls Saturday for a Tax Ratification Election.

Polling location include the Joaquin ISD Administration Building and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Department. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The board is giving voters the opportunity to restructure the district's current tax rate by adopting a rate just over 2-cents less than the previous year.

Superintendent Phil Worsham said the adopted tax rate would allow JISD to receive additional state funding without increasing local property taxes.

With taxpayer support or "ratification" the tax rate formula increases the taxes assessed on the operations side and lowers the taxes on the debt payment side which would trigger an increase in funding for operations of $400,000.

Worsham says as it stands, state funds are being left in Austin. He added without revenue increases, maintaining the same level of programs and educational standards for Joaquin ISD students would be impossible.

State funding has not kept up with increased enrollment or utility, supply and payroll increases.

Any questions about Saturday's Joaquin ISD Tax Ratification Election should be directed to Worsham at 269-3128.

A Center man is recovering from injuries received from a motorcycle accident earlier this week in San Augustine County. DPS reports 54-year old Ricky D. Rhodes of Center was driving a Harley Davidson northbound on State Hwy. 147, just inside the San Augustine County line Tuesday afternoon when he failed to control speed in a curve, leaving the roadway and ending up in a ditch, striking a mailbox. He was taken to CHI St. Luke’s in San Augustine, and life-flighted to University Health in Shreveport where he’s reported to be in stable condition. It's reported Rhodes was not wearing a helmet.

The ETMC Mobile Digital Mammography Unit has booked all appointments for tomorrow's visit to Center. The Shelby County Extension Office advised for any women that may have missed out, can contact the HOPE Project Clinic in Tenaha for a Mammorgraphy appointment in October.

How to avoid being fooled by fake charities will be discussed at Lifetree Cafe at 6 p.m. tonight. Admission to the hour-long event is free, and is held at The Little Fox Marketplace on the downtown Center Square.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 71-year old Timothy Foehner of Center. He passed away Wednesday in Tyler. That’s pending service for Timothy Foehner of Center at Watson & Sons.

Hawthorn Funeral Home of Carthage announces service for 71-year old Ronnie N. Britton of Timpson. Service will be at 10 a.m. this morning at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at Old Center Cemetery.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces service for 15-year old Miss Lashasta Takiffany Johnson of Tenaha. She passed away Tuesday at East Texas Medical Center in Carthage. She was a sophomore at Tenaha High School. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John Baptist Church in Tenaha with interment at St. John Cemetery. Among Lashasta Johnson’s survivors are, mother, Latrice Tarver of Tenaha; father, Tommy Johnson of Center; sisters, Shanquitha Johnson and Charnitha Garrett, both of Center; brother, Timothy Johnson of Center; and grandmother, Johnnie Tarver of Tenaha.

Sub-varsity football action tonight, has the Center Middle School and Freshmen/JV at Garrison starting at 5 p.m.; the Tenaha Jr. High and JV at Shelbyville beginning at 5 p.m.; the Timpson Middle School at Beckville at 5 p.m.; and Joaquin has an open date.

Tomorrow night's high school football has the Center Roughriders at home against the Garrison Bulldogs. Listen to the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com or 92.5 KXXE. In our Shelby County Game of the Week, it's a battle of two unbeatens as the Shelbyville Dragons go to the Tenaha Tigers. We'll have the game on Q100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com. Elsewhere, the Timpson Bears have their home opener with Beckville, the Joaquin Rams have an open date, and the San Augustine Wolves have a Saturday afternoon game in Dallas against the Episcopal School of Dallas at 4 p.m. The Logansport Tigers have their home opener against Lakeview.

After making the playoffs for the first time last season, the Center Lady Rider volleyball team is looking forward to another successful season. With a veteran team returning, there are a lot of expectations. Last Tuesday the Lady Riders took on Shelbyville in their inaugural season. The team appreciates the support shown by the community. The Lady Riders will be at Elysian Fields for a 4:30 p.m. match Friday.

The Lady Rider Junior Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Chapel Hill Tuesday, defeating the Lady Bulldogs in two sets 25-19 and 26-24.

The Center High School Cross Country team competed at the Dogwood Invitational in Palestine last Saturday in their first meet of the year for both boys and girls. On the varsity, Giovani Angel placed 3rd, Arnol Escobedo 7th, Ruben Soto 10th, Daniel Chavez 19th, and Juan Ramirez 19th out of 96 runners. On the JV boys team, Brandon Renteria placed 7th, Jose Landin 11th, Isaac Rafael 12th, Arturo Hernandez 14th. Both Varsity and JV boys’ teams placed second out of 12 teams for their season opening meet. On Saturday they’ll be running at

the Elysian Fields invitational.

Arrest Report

9/9/14--9/10/14

Shelby County:

Jeffrey Spring, 59, Joaquin, Hamilton County, TN Warrant-Passing Worthless Checks

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Although the virus that's affecting more than 1,000 children in 10 states with severe cold and respiratory infection the past several weeks is still outside our area, health experts are starting to warn the public to begin watching for symptoms of the common cold.

The virus is called human enterovirus 68, and is believed to be related to the common cold. There will be similar symptoms, but it's wheezing that sets this virus apart--reports of it being severe. Children under the age of 5 and those with asthma are especially susceptible.

Dr. Mark Cline of Cline Family Medicine in Center and Nacogdoches has these suggestions for helping to prevent the virus.

He says to adhere to normal hygiene such as hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and it’s important for parents with children who begin to start showing signs of becoming ill, especially quicker than normal to be evaluated by their physician as quickly as they can.

The virus is being seen as close as Oklahoma, and in Colorado over 1,000 patients have been seen in the ER with the virus.

Four individuals were arrested by Federal authorities with the Department of Homeland Security in Nacogdoches yesterday following a raid connected to human smuggling.

Search warrants were executed in six different locations and authorities located several individuals they’re trying to determine if they were smuggled across the border.

Two were principal associates of an on-going investigation.

The raid began at 7 a.m. Tuesday with three of the locations on County Road 521, County Road 250 and Old Lufkin Road in Nacogdoches County.

Federal officials say the raid was part of Operation Coyote, which is an attempt to crack down on human smuggling.

Also seized was AK-47s, M-4s, pistols and thousands of dollars in cash.

State Rep. Chris Paddie will be in Center today as part of his district-wide meetings with constituents in House District 9 to discuss the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Paddie will address a joint luncheon meeting at the Windham Civic Center with the Center Noon Lions Club, Center Rotary Club and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. today, with lunch served at 11:45, and Rep. Paddie to speak at 12:15 p.m.

Rep. Paddie will conclude his district tour this afternoon in Hemphill.

He said he was "looking forward to hearing from as many citizens and elected officials as possible as he begins to prepare for the 84th Legislature in January.

Rep. Paddie added, "Input from neighbors and community leaders are crucial for him to be able to effectively represent the community in Austin."

Nacogdoches County Judge Mike Perry was forced to cast the deciding vote at yesterday's commissioners' court meeting on a new Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget and tax rate.

Judge Perry said as he was voting that he was not in favor of this budget or tax rate, noting he didn't want to have to start over the process.

Nacogdoches County's new tax rate will be a 2.47-cent tax increase.

An original motion for a 4.5-cent tax increase died for lack of a second in August.

The new tax rate for 2014-15 in Nacogdoches County will be $0.5290.

Looks like the Shelbyville ISD may be re-visiting the possibility of installing artificial turf at Dragon Stadium.

Dr. Ray West told me yesterday that board members and others in the community have expressed an interest in discussing the topic again.

He said the board may have the turf item on a meeting agenda within a couple of weeks.

In January of this year there was discussion, and Dr. West even had a turf representative on hand to explain more and answer questions after the initial interest.

Dr. West said the district is looking at around $770,000 to install an artificial surface at the stadium, and did add those funds are already on hand for such projects, and there would be no debt to the district.

At their meeting Monday night, the Shelbyville ISD Trustees were given a facilities update by Dr. West, who advised the new auxiliary gym should be ready for use in mid-October.

Tomorrow is "Patriot Day", and will mark the 13th anniversary of the attacks by terrorist on the U.S. To pay respect to those that lost their lives, Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary invite citizens of Shelby and surrounding counties to join them at their annual Patriot Day Observance at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Veterans Memorial, located on the grounds of the Historic Shelby County Courthouse.

Remarks will be given by Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell, Center Chief of Police Jim Albers and Jessie Griffith of ACE EMS. There will be a memorial wreath laying and bagpipes by Joaquin Mayor Mike Wood.

The program will close at 9:46, the time the first airliner crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center, with playing of Taps.

If you can't make the observance, you're asked to take a moment and remember the over 3,000 innocent people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

By the way, according to national law, flags are to be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown, Thursday, If you fly a flag outside that cannot be lowered respect for the day can be shown by tying a black rope or ribbon at the top of the flag staff.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce will have their 12th annual Civic Auction this Saturday night with the theme, "Guns and Glitter". Lorei Choate is civic auction chairperson, and says this is the chamber's biggest fundraiser of the year, and goes to assist with efforts in promoting San Augustine. She says some of the fun will include a live and silent auction, raffle items and a number of other games. 

There will be guns, charcoal grills, getaways to Crystal Beach, and fishing and hunting trips. She says they’ll have a live auction, silent auction, raffle items, a number of different games they’ll be playing, including “Hi-Lo”, “Pick of the Litter”, and “Early Bird Special” tickets that can be purchased at the chamber office until 5 p.m. Friday. She says for $75 you get 40 raffle tickets, and buying early you have a chance to win a drawing for a charcoal grill.

She adds “Early Bird Special” tickets can be purchased at the chamber office until 5 p.m. Friday, which gets you 40 raffle tickets and a chance to win a drawing for a charcoal grill.

The Civic Auction will be held at the San Augustine County Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30, and the fun, games and auction at 7 p.m. The dinner will be a barbecue prepared by the San Augustine County Go-Texans.

Ms. Choate says tickets are $25 per person, with corporate tables available. Contact the chamber at 275-3610, or you can get tickets at the door Saturday night.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce Civic Auction is sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank.

The Tenaha Beautification and Events Committee will have their annual Festival Along the Tracks this Saturday.

The festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the square in Tenaha. There are still some booths available; organizers are taking applications this week. If anyone wants a booth, the deadline has been extended.

The event will feature an apple cook-off open to kids and adults with monetary prize plus ribbons. Organizers say there's a $10 entry fee, and it can be anything apple related and homemade. Your entry must be in by 11 a.m. Saturday, with judging at 11:30 a.m.

There will be vendors, a domino tournament, along with a scavenger hunt with a $500 prize to the winner. You must be present for all clues and to win.

In addition there will be a motorcycle and car show.

For more information on Tenaha's Festival Along the Tracks, contact Linda Perry at 248-2681or Becky Barker at 248-5807.

Hawthorn Funeral Home of Carthage announces service for 71-year old Ronnie N. Britton of Timpson. He passed away Monday in Houston. Service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at Old Center Cemetery. Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Hawthorn Funeral Home. He was a 1962 graduate of Timpson High School. Among Ronnie N. Britton's survivors are his wife, Debbra Britton of Timpson; mother, Bertie Mae Britton of Timpson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, C.W. and Lucille Fields of Antioch; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Sarah Fields of Carthage.

This Friday night’s football has the Center Roughriders at home against the Garrison Bulldogs. Listen to the action on KDET online at cbc-radio.com or 92.5 KXXE.

In our Shelby County Game of the Week, it's a battle of two unbeatens as the Shelbyville Dragons go to the Tenaha Tigers. We'll have the game on Q100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

Elsewhere, the Timpson Bears have their home opener with Beckville, the Joaquin Rams have an open date, and the San Augustine Wolves have a Saturday afternoon game in Dallas against the Episcopal School of Dallas.

The Logansport Tigers have their home opener against Lakeview.

Arrest Report

9/8/14--9/9/14

Shelby County:

Jose Garey, 36, Center, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated

Lorenzo Sexton, 45, Nacogdoches, Driving While Intoxicated with Open Container-2^nd Offense

Christopher Perry, 28, Center, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Possession of Marijuana

Alvina Cartwright, 47, Shelbyville, Public Intoxication

Catherine Pelton, 23, Timpson, Warrant-Theft of Property

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Shelby County has a new Fiscal Year 2014-15 Budget and Tax Rate after the commissioners' court gave their approval Monday morning. County Judge Rick Campbell says the Tax Rate will remain the same as last year at $.60 per $100 valuation, but due to property values increasing by 5.7 percent, there will be $463,000 more funding generated to support an operating Budget of $8.5 million. Also, for the first time in five-and-a-half years, there will be a five-percent cost-of-living increase across the board for all county employees, plus there’s “rainy-day” funds.

He said the new Budget is not “fluffed-up”, that cuts have been made to it for a couple of years. Judge Campbell said the Budget has some $2.8 million in “rain-day” funding just in case. He added, “Shelby County is in really good financial shape”.

Commissioner's also renewed the ambulance service exclusive 911 agreement with ACE EMS for another year. Judge Campbell said the county's nine-month $15,000 monthly agreement to ACE to assist with out-of-county emergency transfers also ends this month, despite Nacogdoches Medical Center's ER not opening until December.

Approval was also given for moving County Road 4484, located east of Tenaha, at the location where the Madden Company's material yard is located near the Ramah church. Judge Campbell says it does not affect any residences, and Madden has agreed to re-build the road.

The Child Safety Fee collected from vehicle registration will continue to go to CASA and the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center, as agreed upon by the court.

Commissioners also voted on Kimbro Floor Service to re-stain the floor in the courtroom of the Historic Shelby County Courthouse for $577.

The Nacogdoches County Commissioners' Court will be meeting this morning to have a public hearing and on the 2014-15 Budget and Tax Rate, with hopes of approving both. The proposed tax rate was almost $.55 cents per $100 valuation--about a 4.5 cent tax hike from the current rate. Two weeks ago the motion to accept that rate died for lack of a second. The proposed Nacogdoches County Budget has a 2-percent cost-of-living pay increase for all county employees.

State Rep. Chris Paddie is holding meetings across Texas House Dist. 9 this week discussing the upcoming legislative session.

Rep. Paddie will be in Center Wednesday for a joint luncheon meeting at the Windham Civic Center with the Center Noon Lions Club, Center Rotary Club and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m., with lunch served at 11:45, and Rep. Paddie to speak at 12:15 p.m.

Meetings around Dist. 9 started yesterday in Marshall and Carthage, with today in Atlanta and Jefferson. Rep. Paddie will conclude his district tour Wednesday afternoon in Hemphill after his stop in Center.

Rep. Paddie said, He was "looking forward to hearing from as many citizens and elected officials as possible as we begin to prepare for the 84th Legislature in January. Rep. Paddie added, "Input from neighbors and community leaders are crucial for him to be able to effectively represent the community in Austin."

Voters of the Joaquin ISD have through today, Tuesday, Sept. 9 to cast their ballot early for this Saturday's Tax Ratification Election. Early voting is taking take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Joaquin ISD Administration Building. On Election Day, Saturday, Sept. 13, polling locations will be the Joaquin ISD Administration Building, and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Dept. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Questions can be directed to Superintendent Phil Worsham at 936-269-3128.

The San Augustine County Commissioners' Court will meet at 9 a.m. this morning and among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be execution of the Routine Airport Maintenance Grant, or RAMP Grant application for 2015, for TxDOT maintenance funding at the San Augustine County Airport; approving a flu-shot clinic for county employees; and approving a donation by EXCO to the San Augustine County Sheriff's Office

The Jasper Walmart has been the latest retail giants’ store hit be thieves, as a couple made off with 17 computers in a little over week's time.

Authorities have identified a man and woman from Beaumont in connection with the crime. The Jasper Police Department say store security cameras caught the first crime as it happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The report says the man and woman loaded the computers into a shopping cart and concealed them with other merchandise on top. The duo then went to the general merchandise side of the store and forcefully opened up a set of doors, and then loaded the stolen merchandise into a care and left.

The couple returned to the store shortly after midnight last Thursday and walked out with thirteen more.

A similar crime occurred at the Carthage store last month.

A Logansport man’s been arrested on a charge of Felony Theft after posing as a job applicant at the Family Dollar store in Logansport. DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office says in a press release that 24-year old Timothy Craig Young asked to fill out an application on Aug. 22, and while the store manager was looking and other employees were busy, Young went behind the front counter and entered an unlocked safe. He stole an undisclosed amount of cash and left the store. A photo line-up was made the manager IDed the suspect. A warrant was obtained and on Aug. 30, Young turned himself in.

Shelby County Outreach Ministries has been under new leadership for the past month as Sherry Harding has taken over duties as the new executive director. Ms. Harding tells us since January the ministries' programs have assisted over 2,200 needs and served more than 13,000 meals. However, these needs have placed a strain on Shelby County Outreach Ministries' resources.

Shelby County Outreach Ministries serves the community through Helping Hands Outreach, the Shelby County and San Augustine Senior Nutrition Sites, Meals on Wheels and The Unique Boutique.

Ms. Harding says volunteers are needed, along with faithful church, business and individual monetary support. If you can help out Shelby County Ministries in any way, you're asked to contact them at 936-598-4990, or stop by their office on Shelbyville Street in East Center.

The Tenaha Beautification and Events Committee will have their annual Festival Along the Tracks this Saturday. The festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the square in Tenaha. There are still some booths available; organizers are taking applications this week. If anyone wants a booth, the deadline has been extended. The event will feature an apple cook-off open to kids and adults with monetary prize plus ribbons. Vendors, domino tournament, along with a treasure hunt, motorcycle and car show are part of the event. For more information, contact Linda Perry at (936) 248-2681.

Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley Community is holding a food pantry for Shelby County residents each month on the Saturday following the second Wednesday of the month. Identification, current proof of residency and proof of income is required for new enrollment. Every recipient of food must present a valid ID (must have a note with ID if picking up food for someone else). Only one box per household will be given. The next food pantry is this Saturday, Sept. 13 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 901 Southview Circle in Center beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors will host a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Hope Dental Clinic in downtown Tenaha at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 19. The Hope Dental Clinic is part of the Hope Project with offers affordable medical and dental care in Shelby County. The public is invited to join in the celebration.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces the 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off Wednesday, September 24 with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.  These events usher in the season prior to the Festival opening Thursday, October 2.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the East Texas Poultry Festival. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Event chairman and coordinator Billie Jones says entries will be accepted at First United Methodist Church in Center on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry fee is $2 per entry. Categories include children, youth and adults. Photography show entry forms and rules can be picked up at the chamber office or online at shelbcountychamber.com.

The Poultry Festival Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, immediately following the Doo Dah Parade. Co-chairs Denise Merriman and Natalie Oswalt say the deadline for contest recipe is Wednesday, Sept. 17. The recipes are to be mailed or delivered to the chamber of commerce office or emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com. There are three categories for men, women and youth. For more call the chamber, 598-3682.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home announces service for 81-year old Alvin Glen Burns. Service will be at 10 a.m. this morning at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with burial in the Dickerson Cemetery in San Augustine County. 

It's Tuesday, and Don Wall's Shelby County Coaches' Show airs tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. on Q-100 KQBB.

There’s no change atop the Class 2A AP Texas High School Football Poll heading into Week 3, as the Tenaha Tigers are till No. 3, behind #1 Refugio and #2 Mart. Alto is No. 15, and West Sabine No. 19. In Class 3A, Cisco is still the top team, with Corrigan-Camden holding onto No. 5, Kirbyville No. 7, Waskom No. 8, while White Oak is 11^th, Arp 12^th, and Newton is No. 21. Four A’s No. 1 team is Stephenville, with Gilmer No. 5, Carthage No. 9, Gladewater No. 13, and Tatum at No. 15. Up in 5A, there’s an East Texas dominance, as the No. 1 team is John Tyler, followed by Lufkin at No. 2 and Longview is No. 19. The top team in 6A is still Allen.

This Friday night’s football has the Center Roughriders at home against the Garrison Bulldogs, and the Shelbyville Dragons go to the Tenaha Tigers in our Center Broadcasting Shelby County Game of the Week. Elsewhere, the Timpson Bears have their home opener with Beckville, the Joaquin Rams have an open date, and the San Augustine Wolves have a Saturday afternoon game in Dallas against the Episcopal School of Dallas. The Logansport Tigers have their home opener against Lakeview.

The Center Lady Rider volleyball team will be at Chapel Hill for a tri-match along with Sabine today, while the Timpson Lady Bears go to Elysian Fields.

The Tenaha Cross Country teams started the season at the SFA Lumberjack Invitational meet on Saturday, September 6^th at Pecan Park in Nacogdoches.

Tenaha ran 24 athletes, with over 20 schools represented; the Tenaha teams competed in 4 divisions, finishing 3^rd in JV girls and 3^rd in JV boys.  JV girls’ division was lead by Crystal McDonald finishing 10^th in the 3200m, and Jordan Castillo finished 19^th in JV boys 5k. 

Other runners contributing were Zoee Rogers, Brooke McClure, Bianca Davison, Selena Mendoza, and Ariday Hernandez.  The boys team members posting runs were Dylan Barbee, Rafael Loredo , Josue Vega, Abel Rodriguez, Adolpho  Reyes, and Roberto Flores.

The Jr. High boys’ team was lead by all rookie 7th graders, with Jesus Gonzalez finishing 20^th place and Corey McDonald 28th, out of 89 runners, both finishing the 3200m at the 14 minute mark. 

Other first time participants were Zach Smith, Devin Wiley, Cooper Ward, Trevin Lampley, and Luke Linebarger.

In the Jr. High girls’ division, Rebekah Bridges captured the 3^rd place spot for the 3200m, out of 103 runners.  Other participants were Anayeli Augilar and Araceli Vazquez.  

Coach Lauri Sisk stated, “This was an early season meet for our kids, and I was pleased with their beginning performances. We have a lot of work to do, and we have to get the miles in to improve.  This was the first cross country meet for 13 new runners, and now with our feet wet, we can dial in a plan for personal growth, and team building.”  The district meet is scheduled for October 22^nd in Garrison. 

Our next meet will be the East Texas Invitational in New Summerfield, Saturday, September 20^th.  Lauri Sisk, Coach

Arrest Report

9/5/14--9/8/14

Shelby County:

Marcus DeWayne Roberts, 44, Center, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Herbuto A. Zamudio, 23, Center, Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Prohibited Weapon

Lawonda Jean Polley, 45, Center, Assault

Joshua Beasley, 21, Joaquin, Speeding & Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Speeding

Carl Addison, 29, Center, Driving While Intoxicated- 2nd

Juan Sanchez, 26, Shelbyville, Driving While Intoxicated

Donald Harris. 55, Garrison, Panola County Warrant-Theft

Landon Yarbrough, 26, Center, Possession of Marijuana & Resisting Arrest

Justin Bennett, 34, Center, Delivery of a Controlled Substance in a Drug Free Zone, Evading Arrest with Previous Conviction & Evading Arrest with a Vehicle

Justin Shofner, 21, Shelbyville, Driving While Intoxicated

Dinah Stephens, 46, Center, Theft

Thomas Brown, 30, Center, Theft, Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection & Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection

Terry Johnson, Jr., 42, Center, Assault-Family Violence Impeding Breathing, Resisting Arrest, & Terroristic Threat to a Public Servant

John Chisenhall, 30, Center, Theft & Driving While License Invalid

Danny Wright, 55, Timpson, Driving While Intoxicated with Open Container, Failure to Report Accident & Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

Mateo Garcia, 34, Center, Driving While Intoxicated with Open Container

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

`

The Shelby County Commissioners' Court will have a regular meeting at 9:30 this morning with a busy agenda.

Commissioners are expected to adopt the proposed Shelby County Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15 and new Tax Rate; discuss and possibly take action on renewing Emergency Ambulance Service Exclusive Agreement between ACE EMS and Shelby County through the end of the year; moving County Road 4484; and distribution of the Child Safety Fee.

In addition, approving the county auditor to conduct audit of DA Forfeiture/Seizure funds per code; approving Axley & Rode to conduct the FY 2013-14 Audit for the county with a letter of understanding; approving sheriff and constable fees effective Jan. 1; and approve to advertise for bids on gravel, tires, fuel and custodial services for the county.

Colleen Doggett is to address the court concerning having the floors in the 1885 Historic Courthouse Courtroom refurbished. Commissioners may possibly take action if they see fit.

The Center City Council meets in regular session at 6 p.m. tonight, and their meeting will start with a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2015 Tax Rate and Proposed Budget.

In addition, the council will discuss and consider action on the annual contract with TxDOT Aviation to allow for the reimbursement of 50 percent of eligible routine maintenance and expenses at Center Municipal Airport; a resolution stating the city’s position on the U.S. EPA Proposed Emissions Rules; and approve street closures for the CASA Chicken Run on Oct. 4, and approving a resolution authorizing Mayor David Chadwick to execute an agreement with TxDOT for the closure of Shelbyville Street for the East Texas Poultry Festival.

A Hemphill man died following a motorcycle wreck in Sabine County Saturday night. DPS reports that 68-year old Gerald Price died at the Sabine County Hospital after arrival around 9:30 p.m. It’s reported Price was driving 10 miles east of Hemphill on State Hwy. 21 when he lost control of the bike under wet conditions, drove off the road and rolled over twice before being ejected.

A Tenaha man received injuries in an accident in Timpson Saturday morning as he stood outside his vehicle that was struck by another in the Neal Quarters near FM 947. Timpson Police officer Michael Williams says 81-year old William Huey was leaning up against his Toyotoa Sport SUV on Church Street, when a 15-year old unlicensed female, driving an Infiniti Q4S lost control, striking Huey’s vehicle, in turn forcing the vehicle backwards and coming into contact with the elderly man. Huey received emergency treatment from Timpson Volunteer EMS, and was life-flighted to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview with possible head injuries. William Huey’s condition is not known at this time. The teenager was cited for no driver’s license. 

Memorial Health System of East Texas, which includes the San Augustine hospital, along with facilities in Lufkin and Livington has a new name. Officials announced at a press conference last week the system's new name is "CHI St. Luke's Health Memorial". The transfer in ownership to Catholic Health Initiatives became effective June 1, and the new name reflects the partnership the hospital has with St. Luke's Hospital in Houston. Officials with CHI say the system will allow for the addition of a lot of specialties that residents may not have otherwise had available. Hospital CEO Gary Looper says even though the name change is in effect, signage will not change for several weeks.

The Tenaha City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:15 p.m. this afternoon for citizen input on the proposed budget for operations of the city for the fiscal year beginning October 1. The hearing will be at the Tenaha Municipal Building located at 238 N. George Bowers Drive.

The Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees will have a regular meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, and among the agenda items for approval will be the Texas Association of School Board's Update 100, and Superintendent Dr. Ray West will give reports on homecoming, facilities update and articles of interest.

Voters of the Joaquin ISD have through tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 9 to cast their ballot early for this Saturday's Tax Ratification Election. Early voting is taking take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Joaquin ISD Administration Building. On Election Day, Sept. 13, polling locations will be the Joaquin ISD Administration Building, and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Dept. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Questions can be directed to Superintendent Phil Worsham at 936-269-3128.

The San Augustine County Commissioners' Court will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be execution of the Routine Airport Maintenance Grant, or RAMP Grant application for 2015, for TxDOT maintenance funding at the San Augustine County Airport; approving a flu-shot clinic for county employees; and approving a donation by EXCO to the San Augustine County Sheriff's Office.

The San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual Civic Auction, "Guns and Glitter", Saturday night at the San Augustine County Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30, and the fun, games and auction at 7 p.m. Come out and enjoy and evening filled with music, good food, great company and a live auction. There’s something for everyone! The cost is $25 per person, with corporate table of eight available for $200. For more on tickets, contact the chamber at 275-3610. The Civic Auction is sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 93-year old A.C. “Jake” Jacobs of Huxley. Service will be at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Mangum Funeral Home, with military honors given by VFW Post #8904. There will be a graveside service and burial at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

Taylor Funeral Home of Timpson announces service for Rev. Douglas Keifer McDonald of Timpson. He passed away Friday at his home. Service will be held at 11 a.m. this morning at Hi Way Tabernacle in Timpson, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Timpson. Rev. Douglas McDonald was the pastor of Hi Way Tabernacle, a businessman and former mayor of the City of Timpson. Among his survivors are wife, Sarah McDonald of Timpson; 3 sons, Douglas Roy McDonald of Overton, Jim McDonald of Timpson and Tim McDonald of Timpson; and aunt, Effie Edwards of Timpson.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home of San Augustine announces service for 66-year old Luther Lavon Hudgins of Broaddus. He passed away Thursday at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial in San Augustine. Service will be at 2 p.m. today at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with burial in the Pisgah Cemetery in San Augustine County. Among Luther Lavon Hudgins survivors are his wife, Juanell Hudgins of Broddus; daughter, Melissa Hudgins Taylor of Broaddus; brothers, Michael Lee Hudgins of Huntington and Paul William Hudgins of Lufkin; sisters, Kathie Forrest of Huntington and Donna Talley of Lufkin.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home announces service for 81-year old Alvin Glen Burns. He passed away Saturday in San Augustine. Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with burial in the Dickerson Cemetery in San Augustine County. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. this evening at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home. Among Alvin Glen Burns survivors are his daughters, Shirley Hightower of Bronson and Alice Kay Ramey of Woden; sons, Jerry Wayne Burns, Charles Burns, Glen Burns, and Richard Burns, all of San Augustine; brothers, Burbon “Punk” Burns of Broaddus, James Burns of San Augustine, and Jesse Burns of Palestine; sisters, Marie McGee of San Augustine, Octavia Belt of Alto, and Emma Lou Martin of San Augustine.

Wyman Roberts Funeral Home was in charge of service Sunday for 67-year old Billy Donice McElroy of San Augustine. He passed away Friday in San Augustine. Service was held at Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel with interment in the Saunders Cemetery in Denning, San Augusitne Couty. Among Billy Donice McElroy’s survivors are, wife, Clara McElroy of San Augustine; mother, Wilma Cleckley of San Augustine; children, Mark McElroy and Steven McElroy, both of Lufkin; and sister, Betty Byley of Bronson.

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin announces the passing of 86-year old Quida Mae (Dent) Whiteside of Austin. She passed away Aug. 27 in Austin. She grew up in Tenaha and Timpson, and was a retired teacher. Memorial Service was held Aug. 29 in Austin. Among Quida Mae (Dent) Whiteside’s survivors are brothers, Roy Dent of Lake Murvaul, Troy Dent of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and Ted Dent of Nacogdoches. Four children, W. Robin Whiteside of Austin, Vikki Whiteside of California, Marti Willens of California, and Stan Whiteside of Puerto Rico.

In last Friday’s high school football action, the Center Roughriders drop to 1-1 on the season as Buna takes a 42-32 win; the Shelbyville Dragons are off to a 2-0 start after a 31-22 win over the Garrison Bulldogs. Garrison is 1-1. The Tenaha Tigers are also 2-0 with a 21-15 win against Brook Hill; the Joaquin Rams fall to 0-2 as Woodville comes away with a 32-14 victory; and the Timpson Bears are still in search of their first win, as Harleton takes a 28-18 win. The San Augustine Wolves are 0-2 as Splendora comes away with a 38-21 win.

In other area action, Mansfield over Logansport, 34-14, Carthage beats Lindale, 22-13; Nacogdoches gets by Hallsville, 37-36; Lufkin defeats Tyler Lee, 43-19; and West Sabine beats Hemphill, 29-20.

Week 3 games Friday will have the Center Roughriders home against the Garrison Bulldogs, the Shelbyville Dragons go to the Tenaha Tigers, the Timpson Bears have their home opener with Beckville, the Joaquin Rams have an open date, and the San Augustine Wolves have a Saturday afternoon game in Dallas against the Episcopal School of Dallas. The Logansport Tigers have their home opener against Lakeview.

The Center Lady Rider volleyball team will be at Chapel Hill for a tri-match along with Sabine on Tuesday, while the Timpson Lady Bears go to Elysian Fields.

2014 Queen’s Court: Standing: (L to R) Mallory Nehring, Jasa Rodgers, Brylee Hendricks, Macy Mayo, Zoey Steuver, Abbey Eddins (all of Center High School)
Seated: (L to R) Blaire Deal (Shelbyville), Molly Runnels (Shelbyville), Alexis Byrd (Joaquin), Julie Garcia (Center) 

A Lumberton man lost his life as the result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident Friday morning in Shelby County.

According to DPS Communications in Lufkin, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, occupied by 54- Howard Dean Steele was traveling northbound on U.S. Hwy. 96, some 4 miles south of Center around 9:30 a.m., when a Dodge Ram van, driven by 38-year old Lester Buford of Keithville, Louisiana, traveling southbound, reportedly failed to yield right-of-way as he attempted to turn left onto FM 2140, the Neuville Road, striking the motorcycle.

Steele left the roadway and came into contact with trees.

He was air lifted by Life-Air Rescue to University Health in Shreveport, where he was dead on arrival.

Trooper Keith Jones’ investigation continues with no charges filed at this time.

An incident resulting from a dispute has led to a man being thrown from the hood of a moving car Wednesday night near Shelbyville.

We received a report that a passenger car driven by 17-year old Yancey Flores of Shelbyville was traveling down County Road 2571 in the McClelland Community just after 8 p.m., with another male subject, 27-year old Matthew Trevino holding onto the hood of the car, when Flores left the roadway at a high-rate of speed, striking a culvert at the McClelland Church, throwing Trevino from the vehicle.

Residents tell us the two men had gotten into an argument at a residence, and Flores got behind the wheel of the vehicle, and was driving off, when Trevino jumped onto the hood.

Trevino also reportedly struck the windshield numerous times with his fist—breaking it in the process.

Trevino received emergency treatment at the scene from ACE EMS, and was life-flighted from the Shelbyville ISD campus to University Health in Shreveport with a reported compound fracture to his leg.

His current condition is not known.

Flores was cited by DPS Trooper Jade LaVergne for no driver’s license and unsafe speed.

Arrest Report

9/4/14--9/5/14

Shelby County:

Jason Jeffery Cox, 24, Center, Warrant-Theft

San Augustine County:

Chris W. Emerson, 37, Broaddus, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Burglary of a Habitation, Prohibited Substance in Correctional Facility & Nacogdoches County Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Retaliation

Phillip J. Harvey, 32, Broaddus, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Arlan N. Speer, 33, Broaddus, Burglary of a Habitation

Lillie C. Fults, 25, Broaddus, Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle

Note: All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A lot of homes and businesses in the area were left without electrical power for around 30 minutes Thursday afternoon as SWEPCO experienced an outage.

According to SWEPCO over 3,200 meter customers in Shelby County were out at one time during the 3 o’clock hour.

Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative’s Brittney Johnson tells us customers in Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine and Nacogdoches Counties were out simultaneously. She said the service areas powered by the Center, Center South, Hilltop, Holly, San Augustine, Bronson, Black Ankle, Pendleton, Hemphill, Six Mile, Hurstown and Huxley substations experienced the brief outage.

Just before 3:30 p.m., she said everyone should have had their power restored.

he cause of the outage was not disclosed.

Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 on information regarding two separate cases.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted from the Shelby County area. 23-year old William Alexander Lopez of Center is wanted for first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Lopez is described as a Hispanic male, 5-3, 120 pounds.

Also, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information on the theft of a Predator generator, model 68530, 7,000-running watts, red and black in color taken by unknown suspect(s) from the Halstead residence on Hwy. 87 south in Shelbyville sometime between Sunday, Aug. 24 and Monday, Aug. 25.

Center Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information. Anyone who has information regarding this crime should call Center Crime Stoppers at 936-598-SAFE (7233) or submit a tip online at www.centercrimestoppers.com. Remember you don't have to give your name. All calls and cash rewards are completely anonymous. Rewards will only be paid on tips submitted through the Center Crime Stoppers system. 

William Alexander Lopez

A generator like the one pictured was taken from a Shelbyville area residence last month.

The 37th Annual Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Banquet will be Saturday night at the Windham Civic Center.

Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Area Chairman Wil Blackshear says the local DU chapter is coming off a record breaking money raising event a year ago, and Shelby County DU is ranked in the Top 20 in Texas, and is 78^th in the world out of over 2,800 DU chapters. He added monies raised from Saturday's event go to assist with wetland preservation across the country and right here in Shelby County at the North Toledo Bend Wildlife Management area near Joaquin.

Saturday night’s banquet will include an all-u-can eat seafood buffet and open bar, along with a lot of fun. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., and the auction starts at 8 p.m.

Blackshear said there will be table top games, lots of guns for auction and silent auction and raffle. There will be a first time 7 gun pistol raffle, and several hunts, including a duck/goose hunt, and a duck/goose/alligator hunt provided and guided by “Swamp People’s”, Harlan ‘Big Foot’ Hatcher, who will also be in attendance at Saturday night’s banquet.

Blackshear added if you will “like” Shelby County Ducks Unlimited on Facebook, you will be get $50 worth of raffle tickets for a “Facebook only” table drawing.)

Single tickets are $35 and $55 a couple. For tickets, call Wil Blackshear at 488-0512, or you can get them at the door Saturday evening at the Windham Civic Center.

Mangum Funeral Home announces pending service for A.C. “Jake” Jacobs of Huxley. He passed away last night in San Augustine Memorial Hospital. Among A.C. “Jake” Jacobs’ survivors are children, Penny Jacobs Lightfoot of Columbus, Ronnie Jacobs of Houston, Jeanie Bryant of Cleveland and Susan Valentine of Horseshoe Bay.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 64-year old Henry Leroy Wilburn of Patroon. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Watson & Sons Funeral Home. Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Watson & Sons Chapel, with interment at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 21-year old Taylor Keith Keele of Center. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Mangum Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, family request that donations can be made to Mangum Funeral Home for funeral expenses.

Hicks Mortuary of Center announces service for 92-year old Hatcher B. "Paw Paw" Horton of the Mt. Gillion Community. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church, with burial at Mt. Gillion Cemetery. Vistitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church. There will be a repass at the church following the committal.

Hicks Mortuary of Center announces service for 75-year old Willie "Uncle Bob" Cartwright of Nacogdoches, formerly of the East Hamilton Community. Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bright Morning Star Baptist Church in Center, with burial at Brittain Creek in the East Hamilton Community. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Hicks Mortuary. Among Willie “Uncle Bob” Cartwright’s survivors are wife, Flora Mae Cartwright of Nacogdoches; sons, Willie Early Cartwright of Jackonville, James Cartwright of Nacogdoches and Ala Cartwright of Center; step-son, Jasper Pettigrew; daughters, Alice Cartwright of Jacksonville, Peggie Cartwright of Jacksonville, Loretta Cartwright of Pflugerville and Linda K. Cartwright of Jacksonville; step-daughter, Pam Pettigrew; brothers, Walter Allen Cartwright of Ft. Worth and Jack Cartwright of Shelbyville; and sister, Iva Nell Johnson of Shelbyville.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces memorial service for 77-year old Mrs. Emma Jean Cartwright Jordan of Shelbyville. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Triumph 1^st Pentecostal Church in Shelbyville. 

In sub-varsity football action last night, the Center Roughriders beat Buna, 20-14.

High school varsity football action on tap tonight in Week 2 has the Center Roughriders in their home opener against Buna at Roughrider Stadium. The Riders are coming off a 28-20 win over Class 3A's top-ranked Div. II team Waskom, while Buna took a 14-13 win against Orangefield. Center Broadcasting will have the broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. with Rob Payne, Chris Watlington and the Roughrider Radio Team on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE. 

In the Shelby County Game of the Week, the Garrison Bulldogs go to Shelbyville to play the Dragons. Both teams had wins in the opening week. Don Wall calls the action starting with pre-game at 7:20 p.m. on Q-100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

The Tenaha Tigers head to Brook Hill in Bullard in a 7 p.m. kick-off ; Other area games, Timpson at Harleton, Woodville at Joaquin, Splendora at San Augustine, West Sabine at Hemphill, Lindale at Carthage, Nacogdoches at Hallsville, Tyler Lee at Lufkin and Vidor at Jasper. Logansport will kick off their season at Mansfield.

Tenaha ISD will release at 2:15 this afternoon in order to allow travel time to the game in Bullard.  Elementary parent pick up will begin at 2pm.  By the way, admission to tonight's game is $7 adults, $5 children.

Also, due to Timpson's game in Harleton, student pickup in Timpson will begin at 2:45 p.m. today, with busses running about 15 minutes earlier.

The SFA Lumberjacks have their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday against Incarnate Word at Home Bryce Stadium.

The Center Lady Rider volleyball team will be at Leverett’s Chapel at 4:30 p.m. today for a match.

Center varsity tennis will be in Jacksonville Saturday. They’ll be taking on Nacogdoches at 9 a.m., and Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

This word from Deep East Texas Electric Co-operative's Brittney Johnson:

Due to an outage experienced by SWEPCO – Southwestern Electric Power Company, the DETEC service areas powered by our Center, Center South, Hilltop, Holly, San Augustine, Bronson, Black Ankle, Pendleton, Hemphill, Six Mile, Hurstown and Huxley Substations experienced a brief outage.  As of 3:27 PM, everyone should now have power restored.  Should you still be experiencing an outage, please contact Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative at 1-800-392-5986. 
 
At this time, the cause of the outage is unknown.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time as DETEC worked with SWEPCO to have power restored as soon as possible.  

Arrest Report

9/3/14--9/4/14

Shelby County:

Shaddrick McCollister, 30, Center, Criminal Trespass

Robert Bolton, 24, Center, Warrant-Hindering Secure Creditor

Coty Whitehead, 33, Maydelle, Warrant-Failure to Appear, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated

San Augustine County: No Arrest Reported

Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. Did you know breast cancer occurs so frequently in Shelby County, that this county is one of a select few where funds have been made available to provide free mammograms to residents?

Shelby County AgriLife Extension Agent Jheri-Lynn Smith says Shelby County is one of only 50 counties in the state of Texas that have funds available through a grant which provides free mammograms to residents.

The most important screening tools available are mammograms and clinical breast exams.

The East Texas Medical Center Digital Mammography Unit will be in Center, Friday, Sept. 12 at the Historic Shelby County Courthouse providing mammograms for women with or without insurance. Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance will be accepted and filed.

Ms. Smith says don't let a lack of financial ability stop you from having this important screening performed.

To schedule an appointment, contact Ms. Smith or Daphne at 936-598-7744. Remember, you must schedule an appointment.

A traffic stop for speeding by Center Police has led to the arrest of two individuals for Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Dangerous Drugs.

In a press release from Center PD, it’s being reported that Sgt. Scott Burkhalter and his K-9 partner Zitan made the discovery Monday afternoon when they stopped a vehicle at Hill Avenue and Shelbyville Street.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered the occupants were in possession of a large amount of mixed hydrocodone pills and a small amount of carisopordol ‘soma’ along with two digital scales.

Arrested were the driver, 40-year old Kenneth Wayne Boyd of Shelbyville, and a passenger, 31-year old Lateisha Clifton of San Augustine. They were arrested without incident.

Both have bonded out of the Shelby County Jail. 

Kenneth Wayne Boyd

Lateisha Clifton

Drugs and scales apprehended in arrest Monday by Center PD

The Tenaha ISD Board of Trustees set the 2014 proposed tax rate at their meeting Tuesday night.

Superintendent Scott Tyner said the rate will be slight more than $1.18-and three-quarter cents ($1.1876) for $100 valuation, which was a slight increase by three-quarters of a penny from 2013.

He noted it was some three-cents less than 2011.

In other items, the Tenaha School Board decided to table any action on the proposed baseball complex, as they are awaiting a bid.

During a board workshop Tuesday, the Tenaha ISD Trustees discussed and approved five goals for the school year. Tyner said these included things from test scores, to administrator to student ratios, facility upgrades and extra-curricular activities.

Confirmation was received from the National Weather Service office in Shreveport yesterday saying that damage caused at the International Paper Company in Mansfield Tuesday was done by an EF-1 tornado. Employees reported the twister dropped out of the sky without warning doing damage at the facility. Employees described the storm as lasting about two minutes. Trees and branches were reported all over the parking lot, a car was turned onto its side. Metal sheeting collapsed, and several vehicles were damaged. Top winds were reported to be at 95 mph.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide is averaging $3.22 a gallon, that's down two pennies in the past week, according to gasbuddy.com. In Louisiana, a gallon’s averaging $3.19, no change in the past week. Nationally, the average is $3.43, which is 15 cents less from the same time a year ago. Here at home, checking prices this morning in Center, the lowest we found was $3.21 at Wal-Mart, down two cents in the past week. 

Tri-County Community Action's weekly food pantry giveaway known as "Harvest for Homes" for Shelby County residents is taking place this morning. Certain criteria must be met to receive food, but you may qualify, regardless. You're asked to bring proof of Shelby County residency and income verification The grocery giveaway will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. this morning, and every Thursday, at Tri-County's offices, at 214 Nacogdoches Street in Center.

By the way, Tri-County's produce drop, is held the fourth Wednesday of the month at the old CVS building in Center.

For more information on the programs offered by Tri-County, contact their office at 598-6315.

First Baptist Church Youth Ministry in Center is sponsoring an "After Game Tailgate" event Friday night after the Center-Buna game. The tailgate will be set up near the F.L. Moffett school and will last until 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but children MUST have rides home at or before 12:30. Hotdogs will be served and lots of time to hang out with friends. For 7th through 12th grade students, a game of ultimate Frisbee will take place on the field. 

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces the 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival season will kick-off Wednesday, September 24 with several events, including the Chicken Fajita Luncheon, the Doo-Dah Parade sponsored by Center Tire Company and the Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods.  These events usher in the season prior to the Festival opening Thursday, October 2.

The Texas Education Extension Association is hosting the annual quilt show during the 38^th East Texas Poultry Festival, Oct. 2-4. Quilts will be on display at the Historic Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Jheri-Lynn Smith, Quilt Chair, says you can pick up your registration packets at the chamber of commerce, or extension office, or online at shelbycountychamber.com. For more information call 598-7744 or 598-3682.

The Poultry Festival Open Photography Show will be held at Vision Source, located next to the Rio Theatre, Oct. 2-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Event chairman and coordinator Billie Jones says entries will be accepted at First United Methodist Church in Center on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry fee is $2 per entry. Categories include children, youth and adults. Photography show entry forms and rules can be picked up at the chamber office or online at shelbcountychamber.com.

The Poultry Festival Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, immediately following the Doo Dah Parade. Co-chairs Denise Merriman and Natalie Oswalt say the deadline for contest recipe is Wednesday, Sept. 12. The recipes are to be mailed or delivered to the chamber of commerce office or emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com. There are three categories for men, women and youth. For more call the chamber, 598-3682.

Lifetree Cafe's event this evening is titled, "Simply Your Life. The event will offer participants practical help to reduce clutter, complication and chaos in everyday life. Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Lifetree Cafe is located at The Little Fox Marketplace on the Center Square. For more, contact Rick Lindsey at 936-332-8312.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 64-year old Henry Leroy Wilburn of Patroon. He passed away Wednesday. He had been a truck driver for Tyson Foods. Among Henry Leroy Wilburn's survivors are his mother, Grace Wilburn of Patroon; children, Brandi Emanis of Patroon, Shannon Wilburn of Sexton and Katie Smith of Patroon; and siblings, Bernice Graham of Lufkin, and Donice Wilburn of Nacogdoches.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces the passing of 57-year old Jim Burr, III of Center. He died Monday in Shreveport. A memorial service will be planned at a later time. Among Jim Burr's survivors are his wife, Vickie Burr of Center; children, Danny Hayden Burr of New Mexico, Jessica Michelle Ingerton of Shelbyville, Jim William Burr IV of Center and Steven Huskey of Neuville; mother, Mary Ellen Estes of Joaquin and six sisters.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 21-year old Taylor Keith Keele of Center. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mangum Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, family request that donations can be made to Mangum Funeral Home for funeral expenses.

Hicks Mortuary of Center announces service for 92-year old Hatcher B. "Paw Paw" Horton of the Mt. Gillion Community. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church, with burial at Mt. Gillion Cemetery. Vistitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mt. Gillion Baptist Church. There will be a repass at the church following the committal. Among Hatcher B. "Paw Paw" Horton's survivors are, brothers, his twin, Lane B. Horton and Milton Horton, Jr., both of Center; sister, Thelma Henderson of Center; and seven children he reared, Bessie Mangum of Washington, Margie Nell Thomas of Oregon, Joseph Horton and Edward Horton, both of Center, Eric Horton of Austin, Josie Harper of Spring and Sharon Hamilton of Timpson.

Hicks Mortuary announces pending service for 75-year old Willie "Uncle Bob" Cartwright of the East Hamilton Community. He passed away Wednesday.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces service for 77-year old Mrs. Emma Jean Cartwright Jordan of Shelbyville. She passed away last Thursday at Memorial Health System of East Texas in San Augustine. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Triumph 1^st Pentecostal Church in Shelbyville. Among Emma Jean Cartwright Jordan’s survivors are four daughters, Gloria Joyce Hewitt, Alfreida Cartwright, Esther Cartwright and Alvina Cartwright, all of Shelbyville; 3 sons, Eddie Lee Robertson, James Robert Cartwright and Michael Cartwright, all of Shelbyville; a sister, Margie Garrett of Shelbyville; 2 brothers, TC Cartwright, Jr. of Shelbyville, and Clifton Earl Cartwright of Tenaha; and sister-in-law, Creola Cartwright of Shelbyville.

Friday night’s high school football schedule has the Center Roughriders in their home opener against Buna at Roughrider Stadium. The Tenaha Tigers head to Brook Hill in Bullard; Garrison goes to Shelbyville in the Center Broadcasting Shelby County Game of the Week; Timpson at Harleton; and Woodville at Joaquin. Also, it’ll be Splendora at San Augustine; Lindale at Carthage; Nacogdoches at Hallsville; and Tyler Lee at Lufkin. Logansport will kick off their season at Mansfield.

Center Broadcasting will have the Center-Buna game on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE, and the Garrison-Shelbyville game will be on Q-100 KQBB, and online at cbc-radio.com.

The Tenaha vs Brook Hill game will kick off at 7pm in Bullard. Tenaha ISD will release at 2:15 Friday, in order to allow travel time to the game.  Elementary parent pick up will begin at 2pm.  By the way, admission to Friday night's game is $7 adults, $5 children.

In sub-varsity action: The Tenaha Junior High football team will scrimmage Brook Hill this afternoon at 5pm with the JV game to follow at The Pit in Tenaha.

The Center High School JV and freshmen football teams will be combining for one game only versus Buna at 5 p.m. today in Buna.

Shelbyville's JV football game will be in Garrison at 6:00 pm this evening.

Joaquin at Woodville JV at 6 p.m. this evening

The Center Lady Rider volleyball team will be at Leverett’s Chapel at 4:30 p.m. Friday for a match.

Center varsity tennis will be in Jacksonville Saturday. They’ll be taking on Nacogdoches at 9 a.m., and Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

Recent changes to the Texas Cottage Food Law mean that more foods can be prepared and sold from a residential kitchen.  The previous law limited the foods that could be sold to mainly baked goods, jams and jellies, and dried herbs.  Under the amended law, which took effect September 1st, the list of foods that can be sold has been expanded to include pickles, popcorn snacks, candy, unroasted nut butters, and vinegar.

In addition, these foods can be sold at venues outside the home including farmers markets, roadside stands, and fairs. All foods sold must be properly labeled and include the name and address of the operation, the name of the product, possible allergens that are in the food, and a statement saying the food was not prepared in a kitchen that is inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.  The amended law also requires that anyone who operates a cottage food business have a food handler’s card by Jan. 1, 2014.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Nacogdoches County will conduct a Cottage Food Law Seminar and Food Handlers Certification Class on Monday September 22, 2014 at the Nacogdoches County Extension Office.  The Cottage Food Law Seminar will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Lunch will be on your own from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.  Topics covered will include the new cottage food laws, food safety concerns when baking and preserving at home and will conclude with the food handler’s course for certification requirements will begin at 1:15 pm. and will conclude at 3:30 p.m.   

The cost of the class is $25.00 per person and the class will be limited to 75 individuals. The registration fee will include food handler’s card, class materials, etc. The deadline to register is Thursday, September 17, 2014 at the Nacogdoches County Extension office located on 203 West Main Street in Nacogdoches Texas.          For further information or to pre-register, call the Nacogdoches County AgriLife Extension office at 936-560-7711.

Participants with special needs requiring auxiliary aid should contact the Nacogdoches County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service prior to the program in order for appropriate accommodations to be arranged. 

A free PVD Screening for potential aertial blockage is being held today from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the active Shelby County Courthouse, 2nd floor meeting room. Call 552-1601 to schedule an appointment. Screens only take 10 minutes. Be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing.

According to official weather observer, Jim Forbes, he received .22" Tuesday afternoon, while James Greer reports 2.36" north of Center.

Forbes also had a high of 89 degrees and a low of 74 in the past 24 hours.

If you have a rainfall amount you'd like to share, we invite you to post it here!

Arrest Report

9/2/14--9/3/14

Shelby County:

Shatresa LaKendra Bats, 26, Center, Driving While License Invalid

David Earl Dixon, 61, Tenaha, Panola County Warrant-Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated-3^rd

Maria Mendoza, 40, Center, Warrant-Fraud, Use/Possession of Identifying Information & Hamilton County Warrant-Fraud, Use/Possession of Identifying Information

Lateisha Shvonne Clifton, 31, San Augustine, Possession of a Controlled Substance

Kenneth Boyd, 40, Shelbyville, Delivery of a Controlled Substance & Possession of a Dangerous Drug

Craig Allen, 34, Elm Grove, LA., Violation of Probation, Original Charge: Driving While Intoxicated

San Augustine County:

Pierre D. Lewis, 33, Houston, Motion to Revoke, Community Supervision

Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Late summer thunderstorms brought some good rain across the region Tuesday, and even some stormy weather to parts of the area. The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office & the Office of Emergency Preparedness is reporting a possible tornado touched down at International Paper Company in Mansfield near the Red River Parish line Tuesday afternoon. The twister reportedly damaged some vehicles and trees at the plant, with no injuries reported.

The Center Police Department was involved in a high-speed vehicle and eventual foot chase last Thursday around lunch.

According to a Center P-D press release, Sgt. Ricky King attempted to make contact with a subject for a minor traffic violation, when the man jumped into his vehicle and fled from officer.

The individual was identified as 34-year old Justin Earl Bennett, who led officer on a 10-minute high-speed chase throughout Center, leading to County Road 2020, where he crashed into a tree.

The release said Bennett reportedly jumped out of the vehicle, where a 250 yard foot chase ensued. He was apprehended in a wooded area and found to be in possession of crack cocaine.

Bennett was arrested for evading arrest/detention with previous convictions; evading arrest/detention with a motor vehicle; Delivery of a Controlled Substance in a drug free zone; Reckless Driving; Failure to Control Speed; Wrong way on a one-way/ and eight counts of running a stop sign.

Justin Earl Bennett

To follow-up on a story we had last recently concerning shotty road surfacing in Sabine County, the Sabine County Commissioners Court was informed last week that roads have still not hardened after going through a curing process.

The $2.4 million project, undertaken by the commissioners and their workers, is still leaning toward possibly sub-quality oil-sand material after testing.

County residents came before the Sabine County Commissioners' Court right after the project was complete in May complaining that their vehicles were sliding off or sinking into the soft material and other issues.

One commissioner even reported at last week's meeting that the surfacing was "crawling" off the road.

The oil-sand producer told the court the surfacing should begin to set up and harden when the temperatures begin to cool.

Needless to say, there are some unhappy residents and commissioners in Sabine County.

Foul play has been ruled out in the death of a Nacogdoches woman whose body was found at the edge of her driveway and street dead by a newspaper carrier just before 7 a.m. Monday morning. The woman has been identified as 56-year old Mary Broussard. Although the cause of death is pending an autopsy, the woman had a history of strokes

The 37th Annual Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Banquet and Dinner will be this Saturday evening, September 6, at the Windham Civic Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Area Chairman Wil Blackshear says the local DU chapter is coming off a record breaking money raising event a year ago, and Shelby County DU is ranked in the Top 20 in Texas, and is 78^th in the world out of over 2,800 DU chapters. Saturday night’s banquet will include an all-u-can eat seafood buffet and open bar, along with a lot of fun. 

Blackshear says there will be table top games, lots of guns for auction and silent auction and raffle. There will be a first time 7 gun pistol raffle, and several hunts, including a duck/goose hunt, and a duck/goose/alligator hunt provided and guided by “Swamp People’s”, Harlan ‘Big Foot’ Hatcher, who will also be in attendance at Saturday night’s banquet. Blackshear added if you will “like” Shelby County Ducks Unlimited on Facebook, you will be get $50 worth of raffle tickets for a “Facebook only” table drawing.

Single tickets are $35 and $55 a couple. Blackshear said corporate and gun tables are also available. Call Wil Blackshear for tickets at 488-0512, or you can get them at the door Saturday evening at the Windham Civic Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. 

Harlan 'Big Foot' Hatcher of "Swamp People" to be guest at 37th annual Shelby County Ducks Unlimited Banquet Saturday night in Center.

Lifetree Cafe's event Thursday evening is titled, "Simply Your Life. The event will offer participants practical help to reduce clutter, complication and chaos in everyday life. Admission tot he 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Lifetree Cafe is located at The Little Fox Marketplace on the Center Square. For more, contact Rick Lindsey at 936-332-8312.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces pending service for 57-year old Jim Burr, III of Center. He passed away Monday in Shreveport. Service is pending at Watson & Sons for Jim Burr, III of Center.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 21-year old Taylor Keith Keele of Center. He passed away Saturday at Memorial Medical Hospital in San Augustine. Service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel, with burial at New Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Taylor Keith Keele’s survivors are, his parents, Troy & Tirrie Keele of Center; brother, Randall Gilchrist of Martinsville; sister, Terrin Strahan of Gary; brother, Therrin Keele of Center; twin brother, Tyler Keele of Center; brother, Camden Hughes of Center; and grandfathers, Doug Dobos of Tenaha and Marshall Dover of Center. In lieu of flowers, family request that donations can be made to Mangum Funeral Home for funeral expenses.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 52-year old Royce Ray Wilburn of Chireno, formerly of Shelby County. He worked in the logging woods as an equipment operator. Service will be at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Royce Ray Wilburn's survivors are wife, Cara Jackson Wilburn of Melrose; spm. Brandon Wilburn of Melrose; daughter, Catherine Ray of Nacogdoches; daughter, Jackie Luaders of Missouri; mother, Shirley Wilburn of Nacogdoches; brother, Robert Wilburn of Nacogdoches; and 3 sisters, Gail Kent of Louisiana, Sherry Sowell of Nacogdoches and Brooksie Wilburn of Nacogdoches.

Hicks Mortuary of Center announces pending service for 92-year old Hatcher B. Horton of Center. He passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Medical Center.

Week 2 of high school football Friday has the Center Roughriders in their home opener against Buna for the first of three-straight home games; the Tenaha Tigers head to Brook Hill in Bullard; Garrison goes to Shelbyville in our Shelby County Game of the Week; Timpson at Harleton; and Woodville at Joaquin. Also, it’ll be Lindale at Carthage; Splendora at San Augustine; Nacogdoches at Hallsville; and Tyler Lee at Lufkin. Logansport will kick off their season at Mansfield. Center Broadcasting will have the Center-Buna game on KDET online at cbc-radio.com and on 92.5 KXXE, and the Garrison-Shelbyville game will be on Q-100 KQBB, and online at cbc-radio.com.

The Tenaha vs Brook Hill game will kick off at 7pm in Bullard. Tenaha ISD will release at 2:15 Friday,  in order to allow travel time to the game.  Elementary parent pick up will begin at 2pm.  By the way, admission to Friday night's game is $7 adults, $5 children.

The Tenaha Junior High football team will scrimmage Brook Hill on Thursday at 5pm with the JV game to follow at The Pit in Tenaha.

The Center High School JV and freshmen football teams will be combining for one game only versus Buna. The game will be in Buna Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. 

The Center Lady Rider volleyball team will be at Leverett’s Chapel at 4:30 p.m. Friday for a match.

Center varsity tennis will be in Jacksonville Saturday. They’ll be taking on Nacogdoches at 9 a.m., and Jacksonville at 1 p.m.

NUMEROUS SMALL SHOWERS...AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS...CAN BE EXPECTED
THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. RAINFALL MAY BE HEAVY...BUT VERY
BRIEF. HOWEVER...NO STRONG THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED.

We told you yesterday that the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department was investigating a shooting that occurred at a residence in the Neuville Community late Sunday night.

We’ve received word this morning that the victim, 54-year old Jim William Burr, III of Shelbyville, passed away Monday afternoon after being life flighted to University Health Hospital in Shreveport.

Sheriff’s department Investigator Chad Brown said the incident took place at a residence on FM 417 around 10:30 p.m. and stated that witnesses are saying Burr shot himself.

An investigation continues.

Arrest Report

9/1/14--9/2/14

Shelby County:

Ruben Garcia, 34, Center, Assault Causing Bodily Injury

San Augustine County:

Richard S. Doyen, 47, San Augustine, Public Intoxication & Resisting Arrest

Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Center ISD Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry said the district is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel as state funding is being phased back in, and says helping to increase those monies is more students.

As of last Friday, Dr. Hockenberry reported CISD was serving 2,803 students—an all time high, with 730 on the high school campus, which is an almost 100 student increase from the end of last school year. 

Dr. Hockenberry said students are enrolling at CHS due to programs being offered. He commented he expected enrollment at the high school to be flat, but added he was pleasantly surprised at the numbers.

He said it was good news, and the district is making adjustments since it’s added to the traffic, which usually works itself out.

Dr. Hockenberry said, “more students is a good thing.”

The traffic Dr. Hockenberry was referencing is during drop-off and pick-up times.

He said he wanted to thank all parents, guardians and the community for exceptional start to the school year.

Organizers of the Garrison Homecoming last Saturday say they were pleased and look forward to improving the event even more next year. The Garrison Lions Club and the Garrison Special Projects Committee were co-sponsors. Named as Citizen of the year at the event was Bill Cranford.

The Tenaha ISD Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing at 5:15 p.m. this afternoon for discussion of the 2014-15 School District’s Budget and the proposed 2014 Tax Rate for Indebtness & Service; Maintenance & Operation.

The Tenaha Trustees will have a called regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. and among the agenda items for consideration will be approval by ordinance the proposed Tax Rate for 2014; approval of bids for the Baseball Complex Project; and a Board workshop to discuss/approve 2014-15 Board Goals.

The Timpson City Council will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. today.

Among the agenda items for discussion and possible action will be Economic Development Corporation street projects; the final Budget review; and agreeing to accept the Texas Municipal League health insurance proposal for city employees.

In addition, the Timpson Volunteer Fire Dept. will be purchasing a tanker truck for $25,000 with funds to be used from the fire department's savings account; and the city council's expected to authorize an expense from the city's General Savings Fund for fuel to go to Austin and pickup the tanker.

The Joaquin ISD is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. tonight to help answer any questions about the Sept. 13 Tax Ratification Election.

The meeting will be held in the auditorium at the junior/high school campus. The Joaquin ISD is asking residents to come and participate in the discussion.

Voters of the Joaquin ISD have been given the opportunity to cast their ballot early thru Tuesday, Sept. 9, for the Tax Ratification Election.

Early voting is taking take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., today thru Sept. 9 at the Joaquin ISD Administration Building.

On Election Day, Saturday, Sept. 13, polling locations will be the Joaquin ISD Administration Building, and the Huxley Volunteer Fire Dept. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Any questions, contact Supt. Phil Worsham at 936-269-3128.

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary will hold a program at 10:00 am this morning at the Veterans Memorial at the Shelby County Historic Courthouse in honor of those who served in the Pacific during World War II. Sept. 2, 1945 marked the formal surrender of the Japanese aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and the day is known as VJ Day (Victory over Japan).

The Poultry Festival Chicken Cooking Contest sponsored by Tyson Foods will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, immediately following the Doo Dah Parade. Co-chairs Denise Merriman and Natalie Oswalt say the deadline for contest recipe is Wednesday, Sept. 12. The recipes are to be mailed or delivered to the chamber of commerce office or emailed to info@shelbycountychamber.com. There are three categories for men, women and youth. For more call the chamber, 598-3682.

Mangum Funeral Home announces pending service for 21-year old Taylor Keele of Center. He passed away Saturday in San Augustine. Additional service information & survivors will be announced later.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 52-year old Royce Ray Wilburn of Chireno, formerly of Shelby County. Service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces graveside service for 69-year old Frances Ann Weaver of Center. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. this morning at Bethany Cemetery in Coushatta, Louisiana.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces service for 77-year old Emma Jean Cartwright Jordan of Shelbyville. She passed away Thursday at Memorial Health System of East Texas in San Augustine.

Hicks Mortuary of Center announces pending service for 92-year old Hatcher B. Horton of Center. He passed away Monday at Nacogdoches Medical Center.

The AP released its Top 10 high school football poll for the week on Monday, and the Tenaha Tigers remain at No. 3 in the Class 2A rankings, behind No. 1 Refugio and No. 2 Mart. Alto is No. 17 and West Sabine comes in at No. 18. Cisco is still on top in 3A, with Corrigan-Camden at No. 5, and Waskom No. 7 after losing to Center, and Kirbyville is 10th. Other East Texas teams just outside the Top 10 include Daingerfield at 12, White Oak 13, Arp 14, and Newton at No. 20. Up to 4A, Stephenville is the top team, with Gilmer No. 7, Carthage tied for ninth, Kilgore 13th, Gladewater 14th and Tatum No. 15. The No. 1 team in 5A remains Aledo, with John Tyler No. 2, Lufkin up to No. 5, and Longview 11^th. Allen is the No. 1 team in 6A.

Week 2 of high school football has the Center Roughriders home against Buna for the first of three-straight home games; the Tenaha Tigers head to Brook Hill; Garrison goes to Shelbyville in our Shelby County Game of the Week; Timpson at Harleton; and Woodville at Joaquin. Also, it’ll be Lindale at Carthage; Splendora at San Augustine; Nacogdoches at Hallsville; and Tyler Lee at Lufkin. Logansport will kick off their season at Mansfield.

The Center High School JV and Freshmen football teams will be combining for one game only versus Buna. The game will be in Buna on Thursday, Sept. 4th, starting at 5 p.m. 

It’s Don Wall’s Shelby County Coaches’ Show at 7 p.m. tonight on Q100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

High school volleyball action today, the Shelbyville Lady Dragons go to Center to play the Lady Riders starting at 5 p.m.

Tom Johnson has shared the San Augustine’s August weather summary with us, and his report says there was not a day during the month where the temperature reached 100 degrees. The warmest day in San Augustine was August 12 when it got up to 96. The coolest was also the 12^th at 64.

As for rain, August proved to be dry, as only 1.38 inches of rain was recorded. The highest rain total day was Aug. 31 with .57 inches.

Year-to-date, San Augustine had recorded 33.8 inches, around a half-inch below normal. The yearly average is just over 52 inches.

Alease Copelin, Career Technology Counselor at Center High School, has been awarded national certification as a Certified Advanced Résumé Writer (CARW) by Career Directors International (CDI). 

She has demonstrated her proficiency in résumé writing through an intensive examination and professional writing process to assess her industry knowledge and résumé writing skill.  Recognition as a CARW sets Ms. Copelin apart and positions her to better assist her clientele by providing a standardized level of résumé writing excellence. 

In addition to holding the CARW certification, Ms. Copelin is a Global Career Development Facilitator Instructor (GCDFI), Distance Career Facilitator (DCF), Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC), Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP), Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP)  as well as a 360Reach Analyst holding a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. 

She currently serves on an advisory committee for the National Career Development Association and was selected as a 2014 scholarship reviewer for the National Board of Certified Counselors.

According to official weather observer Jim Forbes, the month of August 2014 ended with 1.96” of rain, which was 1.56” below average.

For the year, 32.65”, a deficit of 2.11”

Jim said the high temperature for August was 96 degrees, occurring on three different days, and the low was 64 degrees.

By the way, it was on Sept. 1, 2000, the highest temperature ever recorded in Center occurred as it reached 112 degrees.

Arrest Report

8/29/14--9/1/14

Shelby County:

Kathleen Moore, 36, Timpson, Terroristic Threat against a Family Member

Leonard Cartwright, 53, Center, Driving While License Invalid

Bret Wayne Anderson, 25, Center, Manslaughter

Martin Rodriguez, 54, Center, Driving While Intoxicated

Arturo Alpuche, 33, Center, Driving While Intoxicated-2nd Offense

San Augustine County:

Saul Carrillo-Avilez, 29, San Augustine, Assault-Family Violence

Richard S. Doyen, 47, San Augustine, Public Intoxication

Flesha Hale, 31, San Augustine, Angelina County Warrant-Possession of a Controlled Substance, Rusk County Warrants-2 for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Dangerous Drug & Unlawful Carry of a Weapon

Today is Labor Day, a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. Federal, state and local governments, along with many retailers observe the holiday. There’s no mail delivery, banks, the courthouse and city governments are closed today. We encourage you to celebrate the day safely, and please, do not drink and drive!

In what’s being described as an accidental shooting Saturday at a residence near Center, has taken the life of a Shelby County man.

According to a press release from Sheriff Willis Blackwell, 21-year old Taylor Keele of Center was pronounced dead upon arrival at Memorial Health System of East Texas in San Augustine.

The release said the sheriff’s office received a 911 call indicating there had been a shooting accident at a residence on County Road 1024. The initial investigation revealed that 25-year old Bret Anderson, also of Center, and Keele were handling a 9mm pistol, when Anderson unintentionally discharged the firearm striking Keele in the chest.

Keele was transported to the San Augustine hospital by ACE EMS.

Sheriff Blackwell said Anderson was arrested at the scene and charged with manslaughter. He added at the time of the press release the incident is believed to be purely accidental and the case remains under investigation.

Bret Anderson was arraigned by JP Pct. 4 Dude Jones, and was released on a $20,000 bond Saturday afternoon.

Funeral service for Taylor Keele is pending at Mangum Funeral Home.

Bret Anderson

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred late Sunday night in the Neuville Community.

According to Investigator Chad Brown, the call came in around 10:30 p.m. of a single gun-shot to an unidentified victim on FM 417.

The individual was taken by life-Air Rescue to University Health in Shreveport with an undisclosed injury.

Investigator Brown did not say if the gunshot was self-inflicted or by another suspect. The investigation continues.

The Center ISD Board of Trustees adopted the new Fiscal Year Tax Rate and Budget at their meeting Friday afternoon. The tax rate will remain unchanged at $1.33 per $100 valuation, to help support a Maintenance and Operation Budget of $21.4 million, the National School Lunch & Breakfast Program Budget of almost $1.6 million, Interest and Sinking Budget of almost $1.3 million, and Construction Budget of $100,000.

CISD Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry said the CISD has been able to come through with staff increases and above all, provide for the education needs of the students, including the increased digital learning initiative. The adopted tax rate remains unchanged for the fourth-straight Fiscal Year. He added despite the cut in state funding, the CISD was coming out of that situation now.

Dr. Hockenberry added the new Budget has increased by some five percent.

No serious injuries were reported when a Center ISD bus was involved in an after-school incident with a personal passenger car on a narrow county road Friday afternoon.

DPS Trooper Keith Jones says the bus driver failed to yield half of County Road 1024 to a GMC Terrain, forcing the vehicle to take evasive measures and travel up an embankment.

Trooper Jones’ report said the bus driver, 47-year old Rebecca Spann Harkness was cited for failure to give up one-half of roadway.

The driver of the Terrain was 24-year old Jenny Lee Anderson, along with passenger, 24-year old Aaron Dexter Broussard, and two children. Broussard was taken by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Memorial with minor injuries.

There were three young children on the bus, with no injuries reported. 

At their meeting last Thursday, the Joaquin City Council voted to adopt a tax rate for 2014 of $0.23 cents were $100 evaluation, which is 2-cents lower than 2013s.

City Secretary Donna Fitzgerald said the council will make the new rate official at the Sept. 12 meeting when the new Fiscal Year Budget is also adopted.

In other business, Ms. Fitzgerald said approval was given to update the Community Center rules, primarily in reference to the moving of interior furnishings.

She also noted the council has agreed on placement of a credit/debit and online payment system. The service should be up and running in a couple of months.

As for designating the City Park a Smoke Free, Drug Free & Gun Free Zone, Joaquin City Council will be working on an ordinance to enforce the regulations. Ms. Fitzgerald said there's signage already in place for no smoking, and fines will be up to $500 for violators.

Mayor Mike Wood was also given authority to purchase a photograph of the current Logansport Bridge from Rusty Wilson to be placed in City Hall. The bridge is part of a replacement project over the Sabine River.

A high school football game official died after collapsing while working a junior varsity game in Pineland last Thursday night.

West Sabine ISD Superintendent Mike Pate the official collapsed while on the sidelines of a game against Hemphill.

The official was identified as 53-year old Carl Kegler, a Lufkin native. Paramedics at the scene say it appeared Kegler suffered a seizure.

It was also reported to be Kegler’s first assignment as an on-field official. 

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Ladies Auxiliary will hold a program on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, at 10:00 am at the Veterans Memorial at the Shelby County Historic Courthouse in honor of those who served in the Pacific during World War II. Sept. 2, 1945 marked the formal surrender of the Japanese aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, and the day is known as VJ Day (Victory over Japan).

The East Texas Disciples chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association invites you to attend their monthly meeting at T&R Steaks N More in the meeting room on Tuesday, Sept. 2.  The meeting will begin promptly at 7 PM and conclude around 8 PM, (get there earlier if you want to eat).  CMA is a Christian ministry directed primarily but not exclusively toward motorcyclists.  For more information call 598-4280.

Mangum Funeral Home announces pending service for 21-year old Taylor Keele of Center. He passed away Saturday in San Augustine. Among Taylor Keele’s survivors is his mother, Tirrie McDonald of Center; father, Troy Keele of Center; brothers and sisters, Tyler, Terrin and Therrin. Additional service information & survivors will be announced later.

Mangum Funeral Home announces service for 52-year old Royce Ray Wilburn of Chireno, formerly of Shelby County. He passed away Sunday in Nacogdoches. Service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mangum Funeral Home. Among Royce Ray Wilburn’s survivors is his wife, Cora Wilburn of Chireno.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces service for 86-year old Alton Crawford of Shelbyville. He passed away Friday in San Augustine. Service will be at 11 a.m. this morning at Watson & Sons Funeral Home, with interment at Strong Cemetery in Huxley. A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Among Alton Crawford’s survivors are, daughters, Becky Maris of Mount Belvieu, Gena Williams of Arlington and Sue Dendy of Cooper; sisters, Virginia Echfield, Ann Joiner, Patsy Metz and Mercille Jach.

Watson & Sons Funeral Home announces graveside service for 69-year old Frances Ann Weaver of Center. She passed away Saturday at her residence. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Watson & Sons. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bethany Cemetery in Coushatta, Louisiana. Among Frances Ann Weaver’s survivors are, children, Dennis Liker, Carol Thomas, Anna Stephens, Jason Like of Center and James Liker, all of Center; brother, Richard Weaver of Coushatta; and sister, Carolyn Weaver Johnson of Shreveport.

Wyman Roberts Funeral of San Augustine announces service for 68-year old Rebecca Ann Simmons Faulk of Lufkin, formerly of San Augustine. She passed away last Thursday evening in Houston. Service will be at 2 p.m. today in the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel, with burial in the Corinth Cemetery in San Augustine County. Among Rebecca Ann Simmons Faulk’s survivors are her husband, the Rev. Robert Faulk of Lufkin; daughters, Lisa Sharp of San Augustine and Rhonda Perry, both of San Augustine, Kim Godwin of Daisetta, and Terrie Faulk Wagstaff of Houston; sons, Eddie Simmons of Nacogdoches and John Faulk of Houston; and sister, Dawn Smith of Chireno.

Community Funeral Home of Center announces service for 77-year old Emma Jean Cartwright Jordan of Shelbyville. She passed away Thursday at Memorial Health System of East Texas in San Augustine. 

Friday night’s high school football results Week 1: Center over Waskom, 28-20; Tenaha defeats Joaquin, 39-8; Shelbyville upends Linden-Kildare, 28-12; Tyler All Saints beats Timpson, 23-15; and Garrison outlasts San Augustine, 18-14. Other results, Nacogdoches over Kilgore, 27-25; Hallsville over Carthage, 52-20; Henderson takes Athens, 30-26; Lufkin beats Longview, 44-14; Beckville over Maud, 35-32; Tatum all over Newton, 39-7; West Sabine whips up on Burkeville, 52-8; Hemphill over Hull-Daisetta, 22-6; Alto beats Crockett, 46-28; Mount Enterprise holds off Warren, 52-46.

This week’s high school football has the Center Roughriders home against Buna for the first of three-straight home games; the Tenaha Tigers head to Brook Hill in Bullard; Garrison goes to Shelbyville in our Shelby County Game of the Week; Timpson at Harleton; and Woodville at Joaquin. Also, it’ll be Lindale at Carthage; Splendora at San Augustine; Nacogdoches at Hallsville; and Tyler Lee at Lufkin. Logansport will kick off their season at Mansfield.

The Center High School JV and Freshmen football teams will be combining for one game only versus Buna. The game will be in Buna on Thursday, Sept. 4th, starting at 5 p.m. 

It’s Don Wall’s Shelby County Coaches’ Show at 7 p.m. Tuesday night on Q100 KQBB and online at cbc-radio.com.

The SFA Lumberjacks opened up against #20 Kansas State Saturday, and suffered a 55-16 loss. SFA will hosts Incarnate Word Saturday night.