Two Injured In Three Vehicle Wreck - March 10, 2010
Photos by Jason Burch, Hughes Wrecker

According to a DPS report, at 3:55 pm Tuesday, a 1998 Ford Taurus was eastbound on Hwy 7, near the Center Airport, turning onto FM1656 when it was struck in the rear by a 1997 Lincoln Towncar, driven by Dustin Finch, 25 of Joaquin which was traveling west on Hwy 7. The Taurus was shoved into the westbound lane and was struck by a 2005 Dodge Durango driven by Obed Lopez, 29 of Center. The driver of the Taurus, Debra Hooks, 51 of Center and passenger, Katily Hooks, 14 of Center were transported to LSU Medical Center by helicopter. Finch was cited for fail to control speed, and driving while license invalid. Lopez was cited for No DL. The accident was worked by DPS Trooper Joel Barton Jr.

Accident Report - March 9, 2010
Composed by Leah Williams

On Monday, March 8th at 10:30am an accident occurred .5 miles north of FM 1645 on ST Hwy 87N. Involved was a 91 Dodge pickup driven by Tony Josh Parker, 28 of Center and a 2005 Ford Expedition driven by Mandy Perry, 35, of Timpson. The Dodge was traveling on 87, south bound when it began to cross to the wrong side of the roadway entering the north bound lane in front of the Ford. The driver then attempted to steer to the left but was struck by the Ford in the north bound lane. Both vehicles came to a rest off the roadway. The Dodge received major damage to the right front while the Ford received major damage to the right side. Parker received a citation for driving on the wrong side of roadway while not passing and no DL. Both had possible injuries. Parker refused treatment while Perry was transported to Shelby Regional by NET ems. Scene worked by Trooper Michael Neal

On Tuesday, March 9th at 5:10am an accident occurred .2 miles west of CR 3790 on US 84 involving a 2008 Dodge pickup driven by Frisco Simpson, 19, of Joaquin. The Dodge was traveling at an unsafe speed for the road and weather conditions on 84 West at the time of the accident. The vehicle hydroplaned and lost control causing it to travel into the south ditch where he struck several small bushes before coming to rest. Simpson received a citation for unsafe speed. No injuries were reported. Scene worked by Trooper Michael Neal.

On Saturday, March 6th at 12:58pm an accident occurred 300 feet north of CR 1090 on US 96S. Involved was a 2000 Chevrolet blazer driven by Fay Weller, 66, of Bronson, and a 2001 Mazda Tribute driven by Diane Jaynes, 62, of Township, Michigan with passenger Helene Sirois, 68. Chevrolet was stopped behind several vehicles due to road construction on US 96 facing south . Mazda was traveling South on US 96 approaching Chevrolet when it failed to control speed causing it to strike the rear of the Blazer. Helene had possible injury and was taken by NET ems to Shelby Regional Medical Center. Jaynes received a citation for failure to control speed. Scene worked by Trooper Michael Neal.

On Saturday, March 6th at 5:30am an accident occurred .1 miles south of CR 2050 on ST Hwy 87S. Involved was a 2001 Ford Focus driven by Ricky Rios, 15, of Shelbyville. The Ford was traveling south on 87 in the left lane. The driver stated he fell asleep at which time the vehicle left the roadway entering into the east ditch. The Ford struck a dirt embankment and began to travel up it. The vehicle then rolled over onto its left side coming to a rest onto its tires. The Ford received major damage although no injuries were reported. Rios received a citation for no insurance and no DL. Scene worked by Trooper Michael Neal.

Tenaha ISD Board Trustee Candidates - March 9, 2010
Submitted by Brenda Lucus

List of Candidates as they appear on the ballot for the May 8, 2010 Board of Trustee Election for 2 board trustees:

3 Year Positions

Bradley Mark Odom
Aaron Roland (Incumbent)
Ronny Samford (Incumbent)
Jenny Hicks

Center Freshmen Baseball Game Cancelled - March 8, 2010

Center Freshmen Baseball game vs Central is cancelled due to weather conditons. The game will be made up next Monday, March 15. Time to be determined.

Thank you,
Coach Parker
Center Head Baseball

Center MS Track Meet Cancelled - March 8, 2010
Submitted by Christy Mahan

Center Middle School track meet in Rusk today for both boys and girls has been cancelled.

Wreck On Square - March 5, 2010
Photo by Karen Thompson

According to witnesses at the scene, after dark on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 a F150 Direct TV truck was stopped on Austin Street coming onto the square at the red light on Nacogdoches Street. The truck then began to accelerate at a high rate of speed and jumped the inside curb to the inside of the square and struck the rear passenger side of an unoccupied parked Mercury Mountaineer belonging to Karen Thompson. The Mountaineer was parked facing Austin Street when the impact caused the Mountaineer to spin around 180 degrees. The vehicle came to rest facing the courthouse. At this time, an accident report is unavailable from the Center Police Department.

Census Day is Approaching - March 3, 2010

Census Day is Thursday, April 1, 2010. As you may know, the Census forms will be mailed out at the first part of this month. We are encouraging everyone to complete their form and MAIL IT BACK!!! We can’t move forward until you MAIL IT BACK!!

This form is the SHORTEST in history with a quick and easy 10 QUESTION format. We also need to stress the following three factors:
The Census Is: EASY, IMPORTANT & CONFIDENTIAL

To learn more about the upcoming Census you can go to the Census Website http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

Your answers mean MORE MONEY to our community for the next 10 years!!

Log Truck Roll Over on FM 711 - March 3, 2010
Composed by J.J. Ford
Photos Submitted by Jerryl Adams

According to a DPS report, an accident occurred .6 miles south of CR 1292 on FM 711 on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 2:20pm.

Involved was a 1996 Western Star truck tractor driven by Theotis McKelvey, 52 of Lufkin. The truck was towing a trailer southbound on FM 711. The driver stated that something broke causing the truck and trailer to begin to lean hard to the right as he was exiting a curve. The driver lost control of the truck and the vehicle rolled over onto its right side coming to rest in the middle of FM 711. Pine logs loaded on the trailer rolled off the trailer striking a metal guardrail. The driver received possible injuries but refused treatment. The accident was worked by Trooper Michael Neal. No citations were issued.

The West Shelby Volunteer Fire Department and the San Augustine Fire Department responsed to the scene and assisted with traffic control until clean up was completed around 6:00pm.