99th Annual Chamber Celebration and Awards

DENIM & DIAMONDS

Thank you to our Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Farmers State Bank

Gold Sponsors: General Shelters of Texas and Mathews Real Estate

Silver Sponsors: American State Bank, City of Center and High Roller Wells

VIP Reception Sponsors: Republic Services and Tyson Foods

Entertainment Sponsor: Charles Holston/Rig Tools

Booze Wagon Sponsor: Sugar Rush Bakery

Windham Civic Center Thursday, January 13, 2022 6:30pm

The Board of Directors and staff of the Chamber of Commerce invite all members and community partners to celebrate the past year as we look forward to 2022, with colleagues and friends, good food, entertainment and a fun evening.

We will also announce the Farm Family of the Year, the Young Citizen of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award recipient.

This year we will have a theme - Denim and Diamonds - so come dressed up in denim or diamonds or both. Tickets are $20.-- per person and may be purchased by contacting the Chamber of Commerce at 936-598-3682 or at info@shelbycountychamber.com ‌

Level II Endangered Missing Child Alert

East Feliciana- The Louisiana State Police has issued a Level II Endangered Missing Child Advisory on behalf of the East Feliciana Sheriff’s Office for a 2-year-old child that was reported missing from his residence, 2047 Maglone Lane in Slaughter.  The child was last seen with his father, Orin Hollingsworth, on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. and is believed to be in imminent danger.

Carson Jeffery Hollingsworth is a two-year-old white male with blonde hair and blue eyes.  He is approximately 24” - 30” tall and weighs about 24 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with the words “Chilling with my Cousins” and a white and purple Luvs brand diaper. He was not wearing socks or shoes when he was last seen. Carson suffers from a severe medical condition that requires daily medication.

Orin Hollingsworth is wanted for questioning in the child’s disappearance. Hollingsworth is a 35-year-old white male with brown hair, brown eyes and a beard.  He is approximately 6’1” tall and weighs about 220 pounds.  He is possibly driving a 2003 white Chevrolet Tahoe bearing Louisiana license plate 860EIT. 

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Carson Hollingsworth should immediately contact the East Feliciana Sheriff’s Office at 225-683-5459 or local law enforcement by dialing 911.  

Contact Information:

Sgt. Dustin Dwight

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section

Office: (225) 925-6202

Dustin.Dwight@LA.Gov

Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports that on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 6:45 a.m., an officer with the SCSO responded to a suspicious vehicle call at the intersection of FM 417 and FM 2694 in Shelbyville. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with an individual known to be Gary Smith, 19, of Timpson. Smith was known to have an active warrant out of San Augustine County for Assault (M-A). When the officer attempted to arrest Smith, he crossed a fence and took off on foot. Smith was last seen heading South in a pasture off FM 417.

He is described as a white male, 6-foot, and weighs approximately 145 pounds with brown eyes and brown curly hair. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket with a blue hoodie underneath it, blue jeans and a baseball cap. Smith’s clothes were very dirty.

If you have seen Smith or know of his whereabouts, please contact the SCSO at 936.598.5601.

If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns Smith of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.

The boil water notice for the San Augustine Rural Public Water System has been rescinded. The problem has been resolved and the water is safe for human consumption.

(Original Notice)

Due to a break in a  line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notify Customers on FM 353 to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands / face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc).  Children, Seniors and Persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.  The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. 

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).  You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact San Augustine Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489

or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

Today Victoria Byrd signed her National Letter of Intent to run track at Northwestern State University.  Victoria is a 4 year letterman in track at Joaquin ISD.  Victoria qualified for the state track meet her freshman year in 3 events.  That year she placed 2^nd in the 100 meter.  Due to the Covid shutdown she missed her sophomore year track season but did not let this slow her down.  Her junior year she qualified for the State track meet again in the 100, 200, and the long jump.  She placed 3^rd in the long jump and won State in the 100 meter and 200 meter.  We here at Joaquin are so proud of Victoria for all her past accomplishments and look forward to what she will achieve during her Senior year as well as her upcoming years at Northwestern.  

Submitted by: Steven McCann, Womens AD

Images by: Sarah Barton

Center ISD was made aware of a concerning TikTok “challenge” calling for violence in schools today, December 17th. This challenge was issued nationally and did not originate locally. Center ISD schools have not received a direct threat of violence. 

The safety and security of Center ISD students is our top priority. We take all potential threats seriously. We would like to thank the Center Police Department for providing additional security.

Family Seeks Answers Regarding Father’s Custodial Death in Nacogdoches County (Nacogdoches Texas, December 14 th , 2021)

The family of Jose Loredo have hired an attorney and outside private medical examiner to thoroughly investigate and review the medical records of Jose Loredo (62) who died while in the custody of the Nacogdoches County Jail and its Sheriff, Jason Bridges. Mr. Loredo allegedly fell while alone in his Nacogdoches jail cell on October 3, 2021. Mr. Loredo was found to have a broken neck and was operated on by Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital that evening. Mr. Loredo’s family was not notified for several days after his surgery that he was a quadriplegic and required ventilation. The family says that it was denied access to their father by Nacogdoches County Sheriff ‘s Deputies that stationed in Mr. Loredo’s intensive care room 24 until he passed away on November 18th, 2021 shortly after life support was removed. The family’s attorney is investigating the conditions and circumstances at the Nacogdoches County jail that caused the injuries that led to Mr. Loredo’s death. The family is seeking medical records they believe will show their father was wrongly and inappropriately diagnosed with schizophrenia while in custody of the Nacogdoches County Jail, then prescribed a psychoactive drug that caused his injuries. The three surviving children of Jose Loredo are also demanding answers from Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital about the surgery Mr. Loredo underwent that resulted in his paralysis from the shoulders down. The Loredo family contends they were not timely notified of their father’s condition or given an opportunity to consult about his medical care. The family, as well as the Texas Rangers, are waiting for autopsy results and have notified the County of Nacogdoches, Sheriff Jason Bridges, and Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital of their intent to pursue litigation for the grossly negligent care Jose Loredo received while in Nacogdoches County’s custody. The family’s attorney, Paul Anderson, says, “The family of Jose Loredo believe the Nacogdoches County Jail, its officers and officials should be held accountable for the trauma it inflicts on inmates, most especially those with mental health or substance abuse issues who continue to be held in jail without proper treatment. The family of Jose Loredo has notified the County of Nacogdoches, Texas of its intent to sue, not just for the unnecessary death of their father, but to inform the public and lawmakers about civil rights violations, structural racism, and the punitive attitudes underlying the treatment and medical neglect occurring inside the Nacogdoches County Jail.” Paul Anderson is the principal attorney in a Nacogdoches, Texas civil rights law firm specializing in custodial death, public corruption, fraud and law enforcement abuse. If you have information about this case, or any matter involving official oppression, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, corruption, or public fraud, call 936.305.5600 or submit a confidential consultation request via the firm’s website: http://paulandersonlaw.com/page-6.html

Shelby County Outreach Ministries would like to extend our gratitude towards the 50 Women Impact for their generous contribution of $11,100 to our Senior Nutrition Site.  These funds will be used to purchase new appliances and other items needed to best serve our wonderful seniors.  The Senior Nutrition Site is one of four programs of Shelby County Outreach Ministries, and it prepares a fresh nutritious meal for senior citizens in our county.  It also provides a place for them to fellowship, play games, exercise, and learn about programs that can assist them.   Once again, we are thankful for all the members of 50 Women Impact and their support

Center Police Dept’s Operation Blue Santa is in need of donations.  We got our list, and now time to check it twice. The deadline to turn in forms has passed, so now it’s time to start filling our sleigh!   365 kids this year, which is the most we have ever had.

The Toy Drive/ Raffle is still going.  For everyone that brings in a gift to donate to Operation Blue Santa, you will be entered into a drawing for a 32 In smart TV(donated by Walmart Center) and Christmas Cozy Goody Basket. This year we have been blessed to add a $500 Gift Card/Store Credit to Ivan Smith Furniture – Center.

Drawing to be held on Monday, December 20th.  1 entry per person, with a donation of a $5 or more monetary value new in package, unwrapped gift for a Boy or Girl, Infant to 16yrs.

Toys or Monetary donations can be turned into the Center Police Dept! Blue Santa now has PAYPAL, and can accept donations at  paypal.me/BlueSantaCPD Please help us, to make sure these kids have a Blessed Christmas!

Excelsior ISD is hiring a Full Time Position as part of the Cafeteria Staff.  

No experience required.  

The hours are 6:00 am - 1:00 pm. 

Pay is salary. 

You must pass a background check and be fingerprinted,  

All weekends, holidays, and summers off.

You must be drug free and dependable

Please inquire at the school for an application or more information 936-598-5866.

Come by The Unique Boutique today to get the best deals on Christmas décor, Christmas trees, and Ornaments!  You can also check off items on your Christmas list.  We have an excellent selection of clothing, toys, household items, home décor, furniture, and more!  We always have great specials and deals going on, so come by and check them out for yourself.  For more information, please call the store at 936-591-8190.  Have a blessed and Merry Christmas! 

The Candy Cane Lane Christmas Festival in Joaquin, Texas will once again bring the magic and wonder of the season to the town.  Decked out in holiday decor, the Candy Cane Lane Christmas Festival located at the downtown square will delight the children while families enjoy the events, vendor booths, and Christmas lights.

The event kicks off on Saturday, December 4^th  with a Car Show, Bike Show, Bouncy house, and multiple vendors of all varieties of food and crafts at 9 a.m.   

The timeline of the festival events are as follows:

10:00 a.m. - $500 Treasure Hunt and Gingerbread Contest

11:00 a.m. – Chili Cookoff Tasting

11:30 a.m. – Miss Candy Cane Lane Christmas Pageant

11:45 a.m. – Car Contest Winners

12:15 a.m. – Christmas Parade begins.  Grand Marshalls for 2021 are Mayor Frank Cooper, and Mrs. Celeste Lewis.

12:45 p.m. – Pictures with Santa and the Auction Begins

1:45 p.m. – Announcement of the Christmas Lighting Contest Winners, Gingerbread Contest Winners, and the Parade Contest Winners.

2:00 p.m. – CCS Annual Cake Walk

3:45 p.m. – Announcement of Chili Cook off Winners, and Raffle.

5:30 p.m. – Festival Ends so you can enjoy looking at lights with the family around town and don’t forget to visit Logansport for more Christmas events and lights.

Kid activities are free. Please come out and enjoy the day with your family and make memories that will last a lifetime.