Shelby County Outreach Ministries  launched its heartfelt  fundraiser, the "Memory Star" campaign, inviting the community to honor and remember loved ones while supporting the ministry's mission to feed the hungry and assist the needy.

The "Memory Star" initiative offers a beautiful way to celebrate the life of a person who has passed away or to recognize someone who holds a special place in your heart. For a donation of any amount, the Ministries will personalize a decorative star with the name of the honored individual. These stars will then be prominently displayed in the front window of the Outreach Ministries building throughout the campaign, creating a brilliant and meaningful tribute visible to the entire community.

We encourage all residents to participate in this unique opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while celebrating the spirit and legacy of a loved one. Donations can be made in person at the Shelby County Outreach Ministries office or by mail.  Our address is PO Box 1029 Center, TX 75935. For more information, you can call 936-598-4990.

Jump into fall with us! Order your chrysanthemums today. Our animals will thank you from the bottom of their paws

Click on the link below to secure your order. All forms of payments are on the order sheet.

https://forms.gle/Agk9FjeNTqmjTDgk6

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Shelby County Class of 2024-2025 was recently honored with a graduation celebration.  

Chamber President, Deborah Chadwick congratulated the class during opening remarks.  Diplomas were presented to the 2024-2025 graduating class.  A donation to the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library has been made in honor of the Leadership Class 2024-2025.

Class members are:  Ginger Borders, Farmers State Bank; Felicia Cloudy, Center ISD; Clay Ihlo, Shelby Savings Bank; O’Neal Jones, City of Tenaha; Courtney O’Rear, Children’s Advocacy Center; Laura Romero, Shelby Savings Bank; Feleshia Thompson, Texas A&M Extension Agency; Misty Wright, Work Force Solutions.  

Leadership Shelby County is a nine month long program presented by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce designed to identify potential leaders and develop within these individuals the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to enable them to actively participate in the enhancement of the quality of life in their communities.

Each month, starting in October, with a “hands on” approach, the class studies specific topics including Heritage, Local Government, Economic Development, Health and Social Services, Agriculture, Education and Quality of Life.

Thank you to all the local leaders and businesses for sharing your time and knowledge.  Also, a huge thank you to Center ISD transportation department for transporting us all over the county each month.
 

Farmers State Bank Announces the Winners of their Third Annual Photo Contest 
Center, Texas – Farmers State Bank announces the winners of this year’s third annual photo contest. 

Landscape/Nature Category:
1st Place:  Janice Carter “Two Sisters”
2nd Place:  LeaAnn Robertson “Mesa Mansion”
3rd Place:  BJ Wood “Lovers Spat”

Fine Art Category:
1st Place:  Lawrence Davis “World Upside Down”
2nd Place: Billie F. Jones “Decades of Labor”
3rd Place: Lawrence Davis “Hiding in the Shadows”

Human Interest Category:
1st Place: Danny Pickens “Asleep at the Reel”
2nd Place: BJ Wood “That’s What I Like about Texas”
3rd Place: Julie Cantrell “Goodbye”

Best in Show Category: 
Janice Carter “Two Sisters”

All of the contest entries are on display in the lobby at the bank’s corporate location on 115 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas. The public can vote for the “People’s Choice” award in the lobby through July 1st.  The contest received 72 entries this year with photographers from Milam, White House, Nacogdoches, Center, Joaquin, Tenaha and Timpson.  
This year’s judge is photographer Elton Scifres.  Mr. Scifres has a gallery in Nacogdoches that he shares with his wife.  He is also the current chairman of the Nacogdoches Photography Club.
Farmers State Bank is currently celebrating 121 years in business.  From 1904 – 2025 the bank has served as a source of financial strength to meet the needs of its market areas by offering a comprehensive range of financial products and services to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and government entities.  
Whether it be with direct personal contact with our customers or with the use of the extensive online services offered, Farmers State bank remains dedicated to the tradition of being a true “Community Bank”.
Learn more at www.fsbctx.bank.

Its Year # 5 for Battle of the Badges, and we are switching things up!
This year’s battle will be

Center Police Department vs Center Fire Department

Support your local Law Enforcement, and Fire Department and save lives!

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will be set up outside the

Center Police Dept with 2 donor coaches from 10 am – 2:30 Pm
EVERY attempted donor will be entered into a raffle for cool door prizes!

Every successful donor will get a Donor Free T-Shirt. And a $25 ECard
To schedule a donation time, please go to WWW.GIVEBLOOD.ORG

Call Amy Lindley 936-598-2788       Or use this link  to schedule

https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/388277

49 th ANNUAL EAST TEXAS POULTRY FESTIVAL
SEEKS ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS

Planning is underway for the 49 th East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State Bank. The Poultry Festival will be held October 2-4th on the historic downtown Center square. Arts and Crafts vendor applications are being accepted at the Shelby County Chamber office until Friday, September 12th. To receive an application and a copy of the guidelines call the Chamber office or go online at www.shelbycountychamber.com . Gold Sponsors for the Festival are Badders Law Firm, City of Center, Pilgrims Pride and Tyson Foods Vendors will need to bring their own 10x10 tent. Vendors will receive an electrical outlet.
The registration fee is $75.00 for previous East Texas Poultry Festival attendees. There is an early bird special of $75.00 for booth space which must be paid for in full by August 1, 2025. After August 1st, the registration fee will be $100.00. Booths must be manned continuously during the hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all three days of the festival.
First time exhibitors are asked to send three color photographs showing merchandise that will be in the booth. The Arts & Crafts committee will select the vendors based on the type and quality of merchandise and notify them of their selection shortly after receipt of the application.
For an application to be received by mail or electronically or questions, call Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 936-598-3682 or email
info@shelbycountychamber.com.

49th East Texas Poultry Festival

Creative Arts Show Committee is looking for participants

The 49th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival, presented by Farmers State
Bank, is right around the corner – October 2, 3 and 4. Don’t miss this
opportunity to showcase your creative side in art, quilting, canning, crafts,
woodworking, metal art and photography.
All creative art divisions and are open to Youth (6 th through 12 th grades) and
Adults (17 and older). The art division will also be open to Elementary (K –
through 5 th ). The Creative Arts Show is sponsored by Doches Credit
Union.

The Quilt Show is sponsored by Scull Timber and the Photography Show is
sponsored by the Light and Champion.

Start taking photos, quilting quilts, canning your spring and summer harvest
and creating art for these events. We want to showcase and recognize
ALL our local talent.

Please visit the Chamber website www.shelbycountychamber.com for a
complete list of the rules for each event along with entry forms that need to
accompanied with your entry. Or contact the Chamber at 936-598-3682 or
email at info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Age 3-5

Smallest Fish- Layla Puckett

Heaviest Fish- Austin Jones

Heaviest Stringer- Austin Jones

Age 6-10

Smallest Fish- Avery Puckett

Heaviest Fish- Beckett Mackey

Heaviest Stringer- Beckett Mackey

Age 11-15

Smallest Fish- Cadence Shadix

Heaviest Fish- Paisley Blue

Heaviest Stringer- Braxton Amy

Heaviest Fish Overall- Austin Jones

Heaviest Stringer Overall- Beckett Mackey

Octavian Burrell Scholarship Fund 

Annual event, Bingo Banquet for the Octavian Burrell Scholarship Fund will take place on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Civic Center in Center, Tx. The theme this year is Harlem Night (Gatsby theme). 

There will be 10 rounds of Bingo. 

Door Prizes every 30 minutes. 

Dinner. 

Starts at 6pm. 

Table of 8 is $240 

Ticket price at the door is $40. 

For more information, please contact Shelly Burrell, CEO at 936-201-9418. 

PANOLA COLLEGE OFFERS ZUMBA GOLD & BEGINNING YOGA

Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering Zumba and Yoga classes. Our next session is right around the corner. Come join the fun. Enroll now!!!

March 3 – April 16
Zumba – Mondays and Wednesdays – 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
March 3 – April 16
Yoga – Mondays and Wednesdays – 5:20 pm – 6:20 pm

The cost of each class is $60, and pre-registration is required. For information and to register, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu.

Be someone’s Luck Charm and come donate blood on Friday, March 14^th.  Gulf Coast will be set up with a Donor Coach at the Center Police Department 1020 Shelbyville st  10 am – 2:30 Pm.   Every person who completes a donation will receive a Free Water Bottle.  

Free A1C testing:  Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is off­ering a free diabetes screening (A1c test) to all donors who give blood from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025. This is your chance to take a proactive step toward better health while making a lifesaving donation. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is o­ering a free diabetes screening (A1c test) to all donors who give blood from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025. This is your chance to take a proactive step toward better health while making a lifesaving donation. Test results will be available within two weeks of your donation and can be accessed through your Digital Donor account

Contact Amy Lindley at the Center Police Dept 936-598-2788 to sign up, or use this link : https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/388273 

COMMISSIONERS’ COURT
SPECIAL MEETING
SHELBY COUNTY, TEXAS

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court
will be held on the 19 th of February, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200
San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.
2. Public comments on Agenda item.
3. Carlos Lopez, iDocket representative to explain upgrading the court system software to a cloud-based
software for the County and District Courts.
4. Discuss and possibly upgrade to the cloud-based software management court system offered by
iDocket. 
5. Discuss and possibly approve the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between County of Shelby and
the USDA Forest Service, National Forest & Grasslands in Texas.
6. Review and possibly approve Resolution of Annual Review of the Investment Policy of Shelby County.
7. Review and possibly approve Resolution of Designation of Certified County Investment Officer.
8. COMMISSSIONER’S COURT REPORTS: These are for informational purposes only. Any action that
needs to be taken on the basis of these reports will be placed on a future agenda for action.

Executive Session:
9. An Executive Session will also be held for the purpose of discussing personnel, hearing complaints
against personnel, or to deliberate the appointed, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties,
discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. The closed session is authorized by Texas Open
Meeting Act, Texas Government Code Section 551.074.
10. Reopen Public Meeting.
11. Discuss and possibly make a decision on issues discussed in Executive Session.
12. Adjourn.

High winds force postponement of Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir

JASPER, Texas — Due to unsafe, sustained high winds, Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Sam Rayburn Reservoir presented by SEVIIN has been postponed to ensure the safety of anglers. Tournament officials made the decision after examining conditions and the body of water early this morning.

“Post-frontal conditions have made navigation unsafe for our competitors,” said Executive Director of Tournaments Hank Weldon. “We are experiencing sustained northerly winds of 15-20 mph, with gusts reaching 25-30 mph. These conditions are expected to persist until later this afternoon. The full field will compete tomorrow.”

The tournament will resume Friday at 7 a.m. at Umphrey Family Pavilion in Brookeland, Texas, with weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the same location.

The event is being sponsored by the Jasper County (Texas) Development District No. 1.

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN

2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew's, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.