City of Tenaha Working to Stop Drug Dealers - July 29, 2010
Submitted by Fred walker Tenaha City Marshal’s Office

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at approximately 10:45 AM Tenaha City Marshal Fred Walker executed a narcotics search warrant at The Barak Apartments located at 154 College St, Tenaha, Texas. Walker asked for The Center Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team (T.N.T.) and Pct. 5 Constable Stanley Burgay to help execute the warrant.

Walker would like to thank both these agencies for their assistance. He had received numerous complaints from this location. The investigation showed these concerns were warranted. Xavier L Tutt, age 27, Henry Eden, age 65, and Jeffrey Thompson, age 25 were found in possession of approximately two ounces of “crack cocaine” in a Drug Free Zone (First Degree Felony). This investigation will continue. Walker stated "I will continue to pursue the drug dealing offenders in the City of Tenaha."

Agencies Team Up to Take Suspected Thieves off the Streets - July 29, 2010
Submitted by Constable of Pct. 2, Shad Sparks

On Monday, July 26, 2010, two suspects, (Left photo) Austin Finefrock, 20 of Shelbyville, and (Right photo) Billy Scruggs, 23 of Shelbyville, were arrested for burglary of a habitation and burglary of a building. Both felonies were committed in the Huxley area. The suspects were spotted by Constable of Pct. 2, Shad Sparks in the Wal-Mart parking lot while he was on his way to get the warrants and complaints signed by the JP. Constable Sparks stated that he then contacted Center P.D. Lieutenant, Jeremy Bittick who watched the suspects while Constable Sparks drove to Huxley to get the warrants and complaints signed by Judge Furlow. Constable Sparks then drove back to Center where he and Lieutenant Bittick served the warrants on the suspects. The suspects were then transported by the Center Police Department and were booked into their jail. Constable Sparks would like to thank Lieutenant Bittick and Center Police Department for assisting in these suspects’ arrest. Constable Sparks said, “I appreciate Chief Albers and Center Police Department’s willingness to assist me anytime I request their help. “

Paxton Water Supply Boil Water Notice - July 29, 2010
Submitted by Shirley Di Verdi

Paxton Water is under a boil water notice for customers in the surrounding areas of FM 2787 and FM 139 until further notice.

Muddy Road Conditions cause Feed Truck to Overturn - July 29, 2010
Composed by J.J. Ford

On Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 9:30 pm a single vehicle accident occurred on CR 2510 near the intersection of FM 139 and CR 2510 in Huxley. A Tyson feed truck tractor driven by Jesse Wilburn of Tenaha was traveling eastbound on CR 2510. Road conditions were wet and muddy at a section of the roadway where a new culvert had been installed.  The truck began to slide into the south side ditch and overturned. Another driver traveling behind the feed truck helped Wilburn to exit the overturned truck.  No injuries were reported and the accident was investigated by DPS Trooper Joel Barton, Jr.  Commissioner PCT2 Jimmy Lout assisted at the scene.

Horse Causes Accident on Highway 84 - July 28, 2010
Composed by Vickie Martin

According to an accident report from the City of Timpson, on Tuesday July 27, 2010 at 5:45 am a 1999 Ford Pickup driven by a 16 year old male was traveling north on Hwy 84 East. A horse entered the roadway from north side of 84 into the eastbound lane of traffic. The pickup struck the horse with its front left panel causing damage to the pickup and the horse perished from its injuries. The driver was not injuried and no citation was issued. Accident was investigated by City of Timpson, Deputy Marshall Kent Graham.

Complaint of Narcotic's Trafficking Leads to Two Arrests - July 28, 2010
Submitted by Detective Ricky King

On Wednesday July, 28, 2010 The Center Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Division executed a narcotics search warrant at 818 Cotton Ford RD (Union Acres Apartments Complex) apartment # 46. Both occupants of the address Anthony Deshaun Harper, B/M age 29, and Brittney Nicole Johnson, B/F age 21, were arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony Second Degree), Abandon/Endangering a Child (State Jail Felony), and Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor). The Search Warrant was a result of an undercover operation conducted by the Police Department in response to complaints received of Narcotics trafficking from the residence. The investigation revealed other residences involved in Narcotics trafficking and other charges are pending. This investigation is not concluded. The Center Police Department would like to encourage you to continue call the Narcotics Office with concerns and tips. T.N.T. would like to remind the drug dealers of Center…. You’re Next!!!!

NOAA issues Hazardous Weather Outlook for Shelby County - July 27, 2010

AT 12:51 pm, the National Weather Service out of Shreveport LA issued a weather advisory, Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will increase and continue to spread north across Northern Lousisana and Northeast Texas during the remainder of the afternoon.  The threat of locally heavy rainfall and deadly lightning will be on the increase as this activity intensifies. 

Weekend Accidents Results in 2 Life Flights - July 26, 2010

According to DPS accidents report, two accidents occurred over the weekend resulting in two life flights. On Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 9:41 pm an ATV accident occured .6 miles South of CR 1221 and CR 1211. Involved was an ATV 4-wheeler driven by Amber Nobles, 15 of Center and passenger, Dustin Guy Windham, 18. The ATV was traveling north on CR 1211 and stated the passenger, Windham, was sitting on the rear of the luggage rack while traveling up a steep hill. Windham fell off the rear of the ATV causing injury and was life flighted to ETMC, Tyler by PHI Air. Nobles was cited for operating a ATV on public roadway/highway.

The second accident occurred early Monday morning, July 26, 2010 at 12:30am at the intersection of CR 3853 and CR 3849. Involved was a 2001 Chevrolet pickup driven by Michael James Curry, 23 of Joaquin with passengers Rachel Marie McKee, 25, and Homer Lovice McKelvey Jr, 46. The pickup was traveling east on CR 3853 approaching a tee intersection at CR 3849 at an unsafe speed. Curry failed to turn left or right onto CR 3849 skidding straight and traveling across the roadway into the north ditch. The pickup struck the dirt embankment. Passenger McKee was transported by Life Air to LSU Medical Center, Shreveport and passenger McKelvey was transported by private vehicle to Shelby Regional Medical Center. Curry was charged with intoxication assault. The accident was investigated by Trooper Michael Neal.

Local Clubs Present Checks to Dixie Junior Boys World Series Trip - July 23, 2010
Composed by Vickie Martin

Rotary Club and Lions Club presented checks today, July 23rd to help with the expenses the Center (13) Dixie Junior Boys will incur while playing in the Junior Boys World Series tournament in Alabama representing the whole state of Texas.

Rotary Club Donation of $1,000

The Rotary Club, represented by Stephen Shires and president, Joanna Martin, presented the team a check in the amount of $1000. In friendly completion, the Lions Club gave their check in the amount of $1001 to help send these young men to Alabama. Presentation of the Lions'check was made by Lions Club member, Bob Reeves.

Center Noon Lions Club Donation of $1,001

The Center Dixie Junior Boys team will be at Brookshire Brothers and at Wal-Mart tomorrow, July 24th from 10am till 2pm. Come out and make a donation and show your support!

Carthage, TX Man Guilty of Federal Drug Charges - July 23, 2010
Submitted by Davilyn Walston

TYLER, Texas – A 26-year-old Carthage, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Jeremy Kristopher Ivie pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 31, 2009, Ivie purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart in Longview in addition to making three other purchases that same day at other stores in the area, all in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. A federal grand jury returned a 256-count indicted on Feb. 2, 2010 charging Ivie with federal drug violations.

Ivie faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the Texas DPS Criminal Investigations Division, the Panola County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Gregg County CODE Unit, the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, the Upshur County Sheriff's Office, the Gilmer Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, the Jefferson Police Department, the Henderson Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Harrison County Sheriff's Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

Wreck in San Augustine County Results in One Fatality - July 22, 2010

According to a DPS report, on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 9:30am a single vehicle accident occurred .7 miles west of FM 1277 on SH 103 in San Augustine County resulting in a fatality. A 2008 Dodge pickup driven by Clay Elton Byley, 24 of Diboll was traveling eastbound on SH 103 and failed to drive in a single lane. The pickup crossed over the westbound lane into the north ditch. The pickup struck a culvert becoming airborne and landed upside down. Byley perished at the scene and was pronounced by Judge Williams. The accident was investigated by Trooper William Stanaland.

Services are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, 316 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas.

The Heat is On!! - July 22/ 2010

The Nation Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. High temeratures this afternoon are expected to climb into the middle and upper 90s. These temperatures....combined with a muggy airnass...will likely result in afternoon heat indices ranging between 105 and 110 degrees across the advisory area this afternoon. The heat advisory may need to be extended into Friday. Some of the cities involved in this advisory are Center, San Augustine, Carthage, Nacogdoches, and Hemphill.

A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of non alcoholic...non carbonated fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room as much as possible. If using fans..open windows to allow for fresh air circulation. Stay out of the sun as much as you can and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not forget the pets..as they need plenty of water and shade as well.

Single Vehicle Accident on US 59 - July 22, 2010

According to a DPS report, a single vehicle accident occurred on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 5:08pm located at .4 miles north of Loop 157 on US 59. A 1995 Ford pickup driven by Pedro Cerrito-Delgado, 40 of Center was traveling southbound on US 59 and failed to drive in a single lane leaving the roadway to the left. The pickup then traveled across the roadway to the right and began side skidding in the ditch. The pickup struck a tree with its right and top causing damage to the vehicle. No injuries were report and the accident was investigated by Trooper Dustin Ramos. The driver was cited for no drivers license and failure to drive in a single lane.