On December 23rd, 2024, Officers with the Center Police Department Communications received a call about a welfare check. The caller stated that her son, later identified as Cordero Wyatt (36 years of age), had been at his girlfriend's residence in Center and was no longer answering his phone, nor had he returned home. Officers contacted the girlfriend identified as Alicia Petite (40 years of age). Petite informed officers that Wyatt had been at her residence earlier and friends had picked him up, but he was no longer at her house. Officers responded to Petites’ residence, and she allowed them to look in the home for Wyatt. Some of Wyatt's belongings were located in the residence including his cell phone. Responding officers contacted the Criminal Investigation Division, and Detectives began investigating a possible missing person. During the investigation, it was learned that a Mtwakil Saeed (26 years of age), was at Petites’ home when Wyatt arrived, and a disturbance took place. During the investigation, it was learned that Saeed brandished a firearm and shot multiple times, some of which struck Wyatt. Wyatt was found in a nearby field deceased. Detectives conducted multiple search warrants, and evidence was recovered to support information detectives had learned through interviews. Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Mtwakil Saeed, and Alicia Petite. On December 24th, Saeed was arrested on the charge of Murder, Petite was arrested on the charge of Tampering with physical evidence. Both parties were booked into the Shelby County Jail without incident. This case is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time. There is no concern of danger to the public currently regarding this case.

Christmas Eve Emergency Blood Drive

 

1885 Historic Courthouse
Christmas Open House

The public is invited to attend the 1885 Historic Courthouse Christmas Open House on Monday, December 16th. The Historic Courthouse will be open from 12 noon until 2:00pm for tours and refreshments. The Excelsior ISD Choir will be performing at 1:00pm in the upstairs Courtroom.
The William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, docents of the Historic Courthouse, with the assistance of members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, have beautifully decorated the Courthouse for Christmas. Refreshments will be served in the Gibson Room.
Thank you to all those participating in the Open House: Shelby County, Excelsior ISD Choir, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce,and William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (Docents of the Historic Courthouse).

Dropoff Locations:

Center Police Department

City of Center City Hall

Shelby County Sheriff's Office

Dollar General (Tenaha & Shelbyville Street)

Walmart Center (Customer Service)

Family Dollar (Tenaha & Shelbyville Strees 87S)

Center Broadcasting Company

Tractor Supply Co. 

Santa’s Christmas Parade Winners Announced

 

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Committee announces the winners of the 2024 Annual
Santa’s Christmas Parade, which was held this past Saturday, December 7th. The theme for the parade was “A North
Pole Fantasy”. J.J. Ford, this year’s Grand Marshal led the Parade.

Winners by Category are:

 

SCHOOL CATEGORY:
1st Place – FLM Primary School

 

CHURCH CATEGORY:
1st Place –St. Therese Catholic Church
2nd Place – Hillcrest Baptist Church
3rd Place –Abundant Love Ministries

 

CIVIC ORGANIZATION CATEGORY:
1st Place – Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department
2nd Place – Shelby County Youth Soccer

3 rd Place – East Texas Disciples Christian Motorcyclist Association

 

BUSINESS CATEGORY:

1st Place – Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center

2nd Place – Tomlin Insurance

3rd Place –Doches Credit Union

 

Overall Best in Show – Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center

 

Thank you to all our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, HR Group; Competition Sponsor, City of Center; Grand Marshal
Sponsor, Dazzle Me Pink and Blue; and Silver Sponsors Farmers State Bank, Holiday Nursing and Rehabilitation and
Specter, Inc.
Thank you to the Center Police Department for assisting with traffic. Thank you to the Center Fire Department for
transporting the City of Center City Council and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department for transporting Santa Claus.
Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the evening!
We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Taste of the Holidays, Sponsored by Shelby Savings Bank will be this Thursday, December 5th 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 are available at the Chamber offices until Thursday at noon. Tickets may be purchased 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.