EXTRA EXTRA!!! Exciting News!! The 32 In TV has been UPGRADED!!!!! We are now giving away a 55 inch Samsun Smart TV donated by Blake Furniture - Center You have 5 more days to bring in your toy donation be entered for your chance to win the TV and Goody Basket Bring your toy, or Monetary donation to the Center Police Dept, or bring a toy to Santa at Cookies & Cocoa with Santa! Raffle will be drawn at end of event on Sunday.

Understanding Medicare Basics November 28, 2021 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in partnership with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Health & Fitness Committee will be having monthly lunch and learn to provide information on various topics. This month we will focus on Understanding Medicare Basics. On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Health & Fitness Committee and Pine Grove Nursing will host a lunch and learn on Understanding Medicare Basics. This Lunch and Learn will explain the difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Replacement plans. For lunch purposes be sure to RSVP to 936 598-7744 no later than November 29, 2022, if you would like to attend. Lunch will be provided. If you have questions, please contact Feleshia Thompson, County Extension Agent – Family and Community Health at the above number or via email at feleshia.thompson@ag.tamu.edu.

Fall is here and winter is around the corner. Temperatures are dropping, and there is a need within our community for warm coats and cold weather accessories. Junior Chamber of Commerce at Center High School is helping address the need by accepting new and gently used coats for all ages. The collection will start now and donations will be accepted throughout the school year. You can drop off your donations at Center High School from 7:45-4:00. Please contact jennifer.fausett@centerisd.org or cynthia.huffstetler@centerisd.org if you have any questions.

The public is invited to attend a Ribbon Cutting for Thrifty Loans. The Ribbon Cutting will be held this Friday, December 2 nd at 11:30am. Local owner, David Lawrence and manager, Maria Harkness are dedicated to providing the most reliable loan services to all of their clients. They offer payday loans, title loans and installment loans for your needs. Each loan has different terms and advantages so it is important to find the one that is right for you. Thrifty Loans is located at 908 Hurst Street. Join the Chamber Ambassadors in welcoming David Lawrence and Maria Harkness to the Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 936-598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The Taste of the Holidays, Sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank will be this Thursday, December 1st from 4:30-7:30 pm at the Windham Civic Center. It is a great way to kick off a fun holiday weekend and the December count down to Christmas. Tickets are available for $15.00 person and will not be sold at the door. Children 5 and under are free. Come sample cuisine and wine from local restaurants and caterers and enjoy a fun festive evening. Holiday music will be provided by Chris Watlington. The Center High School Theater Department will at the Taste in fun festive costumes. Local florists will provide the beautiful centerpieces which will also be given away as door prizes. Thank you to Center Floral, Hughes Florist, Watson Tucker Florist and The Lily Farm Thank you to our Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Shelby Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors, Sabine State Bank and Specter, Inc. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936- 598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Santa Claus is coming to town this Saturday, December 3rd. In keeping with the holiday tradition, the Grand Marshal,  Dr. Danny Paul and Sally Windham, this
year’s Distinguished Service Award winners, will lead the parade at 6:00pm. Over 20 floats will make their way through the heart of downtown to delight the young and old alike. The Rio Theater will open its doors at 5:00pm for popcorn, candy and drinks. The Rio will be showing Strange World at 7:30pm after the Parade. Many shops will be open during the day so shop local and find those perfect Christmas gifts. Thank you to the City of Center, our Float Competition Sponsor; Farmers State Bank and Specter, Inc. our Silver Sponsors. Parade winners will be announced via media on Monday, December 5th.

The Timpson Area Chamber of Commerce invites spectators, shoppers and parade participants to join us Saturday morning for our annual Christmas parade and Christmas festivities held in Downtown Timpson.There will also be craft, gift, food and snack vendors on site, so come watch and enjoy!! SEE FLYER ATTACHED

The Sabine County Beekeepers will meet for our monthly meeting on Monday December 5th. at 6:30PM. We meet every 1st Monday of the month at 6:30PM at the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce, on the square, downtown Hemphill. We welcome the public to come out and join us. We have no dues, or officers. This is for anyone interested in becoming a new beekeeper or an already experienced beekeeper. For more info, call James at (409)625-4787.

‘Mom, how will Santa ever find us?’

Adopt a family and ensure young survivors aren’t forgotten this Christmas
LUFKIN, TX (November 17, 2022) –The first concern of many boys and girls forced to leave their abusive homes during the holidays is, "Mom, how will Santa ever find us?"
The purpose of the Family Crisis Center’s Adopt-a-Family program is to match community members with survivors of abuse and their children who are working hard to build new lives free from violence.
“For parents and children, fleeing abuse during the holidays is an extremely stressful time.
Escaping an abusive situation could mean leaving behind items like toys and clothing. Financial abuse may mean someone cannot buy presents, or even food, for their children,” said Whitney Burran, executive director of the Family Crisis Center.
“Adopting a family is a wonderful way to remind these survivors that they are cared for by the community as they begin their healing journey free from violence.”
Individuals, businesses or groups can contact the agency and “adopt” a family who is currently receiving services at the Family Crisis Center. The agency will provide a personalized list of gift selections, as well as the clothing and shoe size of each family member.
Families can be adopted until Wednesday, Nov. 30, and unwrapped gifts and wrapping supplies can be delivered to the agency’s administrative office—or any outreach office—until Thursday, Dec. 8, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Last year, Santa found the new homes of 91 families—including 187 children—thanks to those that adopted a family.

For more information on the Adopt-a-Family program, contact Angela Turner, marketing & communications coordinator at the Family Crisis Center, at 936-639-1681 or email her at aturner@fccet.com.

Boilerplate
The Family Crisis Center of East Texas (FCCET) is a non-profit organization that empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing crisis intervention and advocacy services. The FCCET also engages the community through education to build awareness and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Since 1979, the Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas (Women’s Shelter of East Texas, Inc.) staffs a full array of professionals specializing in assistance for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Those services included emergency shelter, a 24-hour
crisis hotline, access to food and clothing, information and referral, legal and personal advocacy, child advocacy, counseling, support groups, job readiness training, transitional housing, homeless prevention financial assistance, child care assistance, and more.

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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 16 TH day of November, 2022 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. Discuss and approve donation of concrete from Darrin Whiteside for Pct. 3.

4. Canvass the ballots for the November 8 th , 2022 General Election.

5. Adjourn.

Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Ethan Myers, 26, of Joaquin, in connection with a homicide investigation. On Sunday, November 13, 2022 at approximately 4 p.m. deputies responded to a welfare check on County Road 3625 in Joaquin. Upon entering the residence, deputies discovered the body of Sarah Hopson, 36, of Joaquin. Myers was arrested for resisting arrest and booked into the Shelby County Jail. This investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected. Further information will be released at a later time.

BRK MEATS TO HOLD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors will join Owners, Barbara and Bobby Vice at a Ground Breaking for BRK Meats on Wednesday, November 16 th at 2:00pm. BRK Meats (DBA Beef Producers of Texas) is a family owned business here in East Texas.

BRK Meats is a USDA Meat Processing Plant that has been operating for over 4 years in Carthage, Texas. The Ground Breaking event is for a new Harvest Unit and a Primal Removal Units to be built in Tenaha. The Tenaha facility will not only allow more for more growth to the company but it will provide jobs to the area and serve more East Texas ranchers. An additional phase of the company growth plan is under consideration and will include a Distribution Center for their product.

It is always exciting to welcome new businesses and industry to our area. Please join the Vices and the Ambassadors at the Ground Breaking.

The site of the Ground Breaking is 433 CR 4620 in Tenaha. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682.

4-H Shooting Sports will be having a Welcome Meeting on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the Sanford’s Home. For more information see the attached flyer.

Tomlin Insurance To Hold a New Ownership Ribbon Cutting The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce invites the Public and Chamber members to a ribbon cutting at Tomlin Insurance to welcome new owners Mallory and Matt Snider. The ribbon cutting will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:30 a.m. Tomlin Insurance was established in 1982 by the late Judge John Tomlin and his wife Ann. Mrs. Tomlin continued to operate the business after Mr. Tomlin passed away in 2009. After working for the business for over a decade, Mallory and Matt Snider purchased Tomlin Insurance in June 2022. They are honored to continue the Tomlin legacy. Tomlin Insurance specializes in Home, Auto, Farm, Liability and Commercial insurance of all types. Tomlin Insurance is located at 102 Church Street. Contact Matt, Mallory or Gracie at 936-598-6165. Join the Ambassadors in welcoming Matt and Mallory to the Chamber.

Boil Water Notice for Community Public Water Systems

11/09/2022

Due to a loss of pressure from water outage The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Shelbyville Water system, ID# 2100014 to notify customers that were without water 11/08/2022 on FM 417 E and 417 W and downtown Shelbyville (anyone without water) to boil their water, prior to consumption (e.g., 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.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this 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 Rodney Warr 936-591-5338

Drive thru food pantry will be Saturday, November 12 @ 9 am. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Center, TX. Identification is required and only (1) box per household. Must be in line by 9:30 am to receive a box.

Deferred Property Tax Payments Property Owners may postpone paying current and delinquent property taxes on their homes by signing a tax deferral affidavit at the Shelby County Appraisal District office if they are: ? age 65 or older; ? disabled as defined by law; ? qualified disabled veterans, their unmarried surviving spouses, or their unmarried children under age 18, if no surviving spouse; or ? unmarried surviving spouses of U.S. armed service members killed on active duty and their unmarried children under age 18. Once the affidavit is on file, taxes are deferred -- but not cancelled -- as long as the owner continues to own and live in the home. Taxes accumulate with 5 percent interest per year. The law extends the tax deferral to the surviving spouse of the person who deferred taxes on the homestead if the surviving spouse was at least 55 years old when the deceased spouse died. A filed tax deferral affidavit keeps homeowners from losing their homesteads because of delinquent property taxes. A pending sale to foreclose on the homestead’s tax lien will also cease as a result of filing a tax deferral affidavit. In addition, no taxing unit can start or continue a lawsuit to collect delinquent taxes once an affidavit is filed. There are no penalties on delinquent taxes during the deferral period; however, a tax deferral does not cancel penalties that were already due. All deferred taxes and interest become due when the homeowner or surviving spouse no longer own and live in the home. If the tax debt remains unpaid at that time, penalties may be imposed, and taxing units may take legal action to collect the past due amount. For further details about property tax deferral, contact the Shelby County Appraisal District at (936) 598-6171.

Mayor O'Neal Jones, Jr. has lifted the burn ban for the City of Tenaha effective 11/02/2022 at 10:00 am.

Tickets are now on Sale for the Annual Taste of the Holidays, Sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank. The Taste of the Holidays will be Thursday, December 1st from 4:30-7:30 at the Windham Civic Center. Tickets are $15.00 per person. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce office located in the old jail next to the historic courthouse. Come sample cuisine and wine from local restaurants and caterers and enjoy a fun festive evening. Thank you to our Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Shelby Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors, Sabine State Bank and Specter, Inc. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at 936- 598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Tri-County Harvest for Homes Will have a Produce Drop on Wednesday November 9 @ 9am Ivan Smith Parking Lot Please remember not to park in front of or block any business entry way. Thank you

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors along with Lisa and Roderick Jones, owners of White Cottage Mercantile, will welcome Chamber members and the community to a Business After Hours event on Thursday, November 17th from 5:00 until 6:30pm. There will be great food to sample and a wonderful shopping experience. White Cottage Mercantile specializes in customized handcrafted rustic wood furniture. They build from locally sourced wood both reclaimed and new. Lisa and Roderick also have a large selection of home décor and gift items. You can find pillows, decorative signs, seasonal items, retro toys, gifts for men and so much more. They have a huge selection of gourmet foods such as salsas, jams and jellies, soups, pastas and sauces, baking mixes and ready to eat foods. Christmas is right around the corner so visit White Cottage Mercantile to do your Christmas shopping. White Cottage Mercantile is located at 401 Hurst Street. Look for the pink bunny. Everyone is invited. For more information please contact the Chamber at 936-598-3682 or visit info@shelbycountychamber.com.

The Center Police Department's Blue Santa program is getting ready to load the sleigh and needs your help. Blue Santa is asking for donations of new toys, books, or clothes for all ages of boys and girls. Monetary donations are also welcomed, and can be given in the form of Cash, or Check, mailed to P.O. Box 322 Center, Tx 75935 or through Paypal @BlueSantaCPD Cookies & Cocoa with Santa is going to have some big changes this year. We have officially outgrown the Center PD lobby, and will be moving to the Center Community House. It is scheduled for December 4th 2pm – 4pm. This is our BIG Toy Drive, and we are very excited to be having it again this year. Enjoy Cookies & Cocoa, and FREE pictures with Santa, and bring in a toy to donate, and be entered into our raffle for a 32 in Tv and a Christmas movie watching goody basket, and a $100 Ivan Smith Furniture Gift Card. If you are interested in donating any items such as supplies for cocoa, cookies, or any type of finger foods please contact Amy at the Center PD. Operation Blue Santa has a new Community event coming up! Everyone loves to decorate for Christmas, but lets make a contest out of it make and do it for a good cause. Join in the Holiday Festivities by decorating your storefront/windows or entryways . All funds go towards Operation Blue Santa’s Toy Drive helping us to make a child’s Christmas blessed this year. Entry Fees are $100 per business, and open to all Shelby County businesses. 1st, 2nd , and 3rd place cash prize winners with Certificate of Bragging rights. All entries need to be submitted by Dec 1st 4pm, with voting to be done on Dec 5th by Operation Blue Santa & CPD Ladies Auxiliary committee . Inside or Outside display as long as it is visible to the public. Pictures of the entries will be posted to the Operation Blue Santa Facebook page. Payments can be Cash/Check or Paypal @BlueSantaCPD Applications can be picked up at the Center Police Dept 1020 Shelbyville St, or email a request to Alindley@centertexas.org or mailed to P. O. Box 322 Center, Tx 75935 Toy request forms are now ready to be picked up . If you know of any child in Shelby County that may not have any Santa this Christmas, please have their parent/guardian fill out this form. One for each child and turn back into the Center Police Department Dispatch, Shelby County Today, or The Light & Champion. This form will need to be returned to the PD no later than Monday, December 5th, 2022. Any form turned in after the due date will NOT be accepted. This ensures us plenty of time to get all the toys we will need. Forms or Monetary donations can also be mailed to OPERATION BLUE SANTA at P.O. Box 322 Center, Tx 75935. If you would like to donate new toys, clothing, hygiene items please bring them to the Center Police Dept. Boys and girls of all ages will be needed, infant to 15yrs old. The entire Blue Santa team would like to thank everyone for your generous donation to the Blue Santa program. With your donation and others like yours, we will be able to provide Christmas to many children in Shelby County. Again, thank you, we cannot do it without you! Let Blue Santa help You make a Childs Christmas blessed this year. Thank You, from the Operation Blue Santa Team!

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved the repair made by the East Lamar Water System to a break in the line earlier in the week. The water quality has been restored and the boil water notice is now rescinded. 

K9 Nyx was very excited to assist Officer Brian Wright in drawing for the winning ticket of our Gun raffle. Congratulations
Marla Denby in winning the Ruger 300 Blackout. We sold 255 of the 300 tickets. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket, or gave a donation in support of the future K9 for Center Police Department

Release October 31, 2022 Mangum Funeral Home To Hold a New Ownership Ribbon Cutting The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce invites the Public and Chamber members to a ribbon cutting at Mangum Funeral Home to welcome new owners Traci and Tony Willoughby to the Chamber The ribbon cutting will be held on Tuesday, November 1st at 3:00p.m. Mangum Funeral Home has been apart of Shelby County for nearly 90 years. Traci and Tony purchased Mangum Funeral Home earlier this year. They are honored to continue the legacy. Mangum Funeral Home is hosting an Open House all day on Tuesday. You may sign up to attend a Free seminar and get answers to your questions about planning ahead. The seminar times are 10:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. KDET will host a Live Radio Broadcast from 3:00pm until 5:00pm. Tour the newly renovated facilities, enjoy food and refreshments and earn a chance to win a Yeti Cooler or Buddy Heater. Mangum Funeral Home is located at 420 San Augustine Street in Center. Join the Ambassadors in welcoming Traci and Tony to the Chamber at the Ribbon Cutting at 3:00p.m.

Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the recovery of a stolen four-wheeler. On October 28, 2022, patrol deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office began working the report of a 2021 Honda Rancher 400 that was stolen from a property on Highway 7 E in Center. Deputies were able to obtain video footage of the suspect driving the four-wheeler and turning onto FM 2608 in Center. Deputies followed the four-wheeler tracks to FM 414 in the Sardis Community and learned that the suspect was seen heading towards CR 3080. Members in the community began helping look for the four-wheeler and it was located off the roadway in underlying brush. The four-wheeler was transported back to the SCSO where it will be returned to the owner. The SCSO would like to thank the community for assisting us in locating the four-wheeler and looking out for their neighbors. This investigation is ongoing,

Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the recovery of a stolen vehicle. On October 24, 2022, Lieutenant Investigator Chad Hooper began working the report of a 2000 Ford pickup that was stolen from Carroll Street in Joaquin. Lieutenant Hooper learned that the alleged suspect of the truck had been arrested in Cherokee County on October 26. Hooper traveled to Cherokee County and made contact with the suspect who confessed to taking the vehicle without the owner’s permission. The suspect, Franklin Goodman, told Lt. Hooper where the vehicle was located, and the recovery of the vehicle was successful. The vehicle was transported back to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for the owner to pickup. The owner of the vehicle has signed an affidavit of non-prosecution in this case.

Boil Water Notice Rescinded

The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.

October 31, 2022

On October 26, 2022, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. San Augustine Rural Water has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of October 31, 2022. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.

Shelby County AgriLife Extension will host a Forage Seminar on November 15, 2022. The meal will start at 5:30 P.M. with the program beginning at 6:00 P.M. Topics will include: The Impact of Soil Fertility on Pesticide Performance and Pest Control for Warm Season Annual Forages presented by Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Extension Forage Specialist. There will also be a Herbicide Update presented by Patrick Sutton, Corteva Sales Representative. 2 General and 1 IPM CEU hours will be available. Admission is $20 if you RSVP by November 8th, $30 at the door. You can RSVP by stopping by the Extension Office at 266 Nacogdoches St., Center, Texas (the old Elementary School building). Please contact us at 936-598-7744 if you have any questions.