Sheriff's Department Undercover Investigation Leads to Arrest - November 6, 2009

Shelby County Sheriff Newton Johnson reports that on November 6, 2009 Capt. Desmond McDaniel and Sgt. William Lee with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office executed two Felony arrest warrants.

The arrest warrants which were executed on this date, were obtained as a result of an undercover narcotics investigation, the suspect allegedly sold illegal drugs to an undercover agent working under the direction of the Shelby County Sherriff's Dept.

Arrested and booked into the Shelby County jail was 27 year old Jonathan Dewayne Calhoun of Center. Jonathan Calhoun was charged with 2 counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance a State Jail Felony. His bond has been set at $10,000.00 each per JP1 Harold Osborne.

Sheriff Johnson, says he and his department are diligently working to rid Shelby County of illegal drugs and those who deal these drugs to our children and grandchildren.

Two Tenaha Youth Struck by Vehicle - November 6, 2009
Composed by J.J. Ford

According to a DPS report, an accident occurred November 4, 2009 at 5:38 pm involving two pedestrians and a vehicle in Tenaha. A 2004 GMC Pickup driven by Jimmy May, 29 of Joaquin, was traveling west bound on Loop 157. Mini Tobar, age 5 and Yahira Morga, age 15, both of Tenaha were walking north on Woods Street when the five year old began walking across Loop 157. Yahira Morga followed and attempted to stop the small child. Both stopped in the west bound lane and were struck by the GMC truck. Tobar and Morga were transported by Life Flight to LSU Medical Center. No citations were issued. The accident was worked by Trooper Dustin Ramos.

According to an eye witness at the scene, there were several Tenaha coaches that were first responders: Athletic Director Terry Ward and coaches; Ion White, Chris Green, Kevin Cates, Patrick Armstrong and Mike Barber. They received a phone call notifying them of the accident and immediately rushed to provide assistance until the EMTs arrived.

Cattle Rustlers Beware! - November 5, 2009
Submitted by B.F Hearnsberger, Shelby County Pct. Three Constable

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, at approx. 10:00 a.m. an arrest warrant was served on Patrick Nichols W/M 01/06/1969. This arrest was the result of an investigation of the theft of cattle reported to me on 11/02/09 that occurred in the Campti community. Investigation revealed that two very nice head of registed Brangus cattle had taken advantage of the bad weather last week and crossed over from the owner's pasture into a pasture belonging to Mr. Nichols as a result of a tree down on the fence. Once discovered by Mr.Nichols their original brands were branded over by Mr. Nichols with his brand. A portion of an ear, likely tattooed, of one of the animals had also been cut away. After being branded the cattle had been moved from that pasture and placed in another remote area. Upon discovery the animals were seized and held at the sale barn in Center until the investigation was completed. Once the newly branded area was shaved it was very obvious that the old brands had been branded over.

Those considering trying to prosper in this manner should be aware that as of September 1, 2009 the theft of as little as one head of cattle is now classified as a third degree felony punishable by:
(a) imprisonment for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
(b) In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000

For all their help I would like to publicly thank the owner of the cattle, Lamar Rash, who went beyond my expectations in his cooperation and assistance, sale barn owner Robert Griffin, Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association Special Ranger Jim Vanover, Deputy Derek Barbee, Constable Shad Sparks, Constable Zach Warr, Constable Stanley Burgay, Investigator Kevin Windham and District Attorney Lynda K. Russell.

Tutt Arrested on Drug Charges - November 4, 2009
Submitted by Constable Stanley Burgay Pct. 5

On Tuesday, November 3, 2009 a narcotics search warrant was executed at 410 Driver Lane Timpson, Texas. This was the result of an undercover narcotics trafficking investigation conducted by myself and the Center Police Department’s Narcotics Division. I had received numerous complaints of the drug distribution at this residence. I learned that the Center Police Department’s Narcotics Division had already been investigating the suspect James Alford Tutt B/M DOB 06-10-1963. Tutt was providing Crack Cocaine to Center as well as Timpson. I requested their assistance in this matter. The search warrant revealed that Tutt was in possession of Crack Cocaine and approx. 8,500 dollars in U.S. Currency believed to be the proceeds of the Crack Cocaine sales. Tutt was charged with possession of a controlled substance (fourth degree felony) and taken to The Center Police Department where delivery of a controlled substance charges are pending. I would like to thank The Timpson Police Department, The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, Chief Kim Graham of Timpson ISD, Constable Shad Sparks of Pct. 2, and The Center Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team for their assistance in the execution of this warrant.

Latest Road Condition Information From TxDOT - November 2, 2009

Updated 11/04/09:
Shelby County:
FM 2572 in Shelby County is now open to traffic.

Updated 11/03/09:
Shelby County:
FM 2572 off FM 139 is still under water. This roadway is referred to as Lovick's Landing and is a camp site and boat ramp. It is a about 2 miles long from FM 139 to the river boat ramp.

Original Notice: Hello, I just wanted to let you all know that all of the roadways closed due to last week's rainfall are now open to traffic.

Thanks
Kathi White
Public Information Officer
TxDOT - Lufkin District

18 Wheeler Tangles With Fence - November 2, 2009
Composed by J.J. Ford / Photos by Kenneth Hughes Wrecker Service

According to a DPS accident report, an accident occurred on Saturday, October 31st at 8:25am, involving a 2005 Red International truck tractor driven by Donald Andrews, 58 of Palmettow , LA. The driver was transported to LSU Medical Center by LifeAir. The accident was worked by Trooper Jay Stone and is still under investigation.

According to sources, the truck was traveling north on Hwy 96 South when it left the roadway and struck a pine tree in the southbound ditch and an iron and concrete fence located on Terry Bailey’s property. The truck came to rest on the inside of the iron fence facing north.

Record Rainfall Recorded for October 2009 - November 2, 2009
Submitted by Jim & Ann Forbes

RAINFALL REPORT
FOR OCTOBER 2009

• October, 2009 rainfall of 18.94 inches is the most ever recorded for any month of the year and the month of October in Center.

If you resided in Center, Texas or Shelby County every day of October, 2009 you experienced 22 days of cloud cover and only nine days of sunshine. You were rewarded or punished with 13 days of measurable rainfall. You felt an average high temperature of 74 degrees with a high of 80 degrees on the afternoon of October 8th. Morning low temperatures averaged 53 degrees with a low temperature of 40 degrees on the morning of the 19th day of the month.

Every surface acre under your webbed feet received 520,850 gallons of water from the sky – give or take a few drops here and there depending on where you live.

Rainfall measured at the weather station in Center totaled 18.94 inches and we floated by the old record rainfall for the month of October set in the year 1984 which was 14.14 inches.

The year rainfall for 2009 now totals 59.62 inches which places us over average for the year by 16.34 inches.

Hopefully, we will not pass the big rainfall years of 1991 with 70.29 inches, 1994 with 75.24 inches, 1997 with 76.20 inches or 1968 when we received 76.38 inches.

Some forecasters are predicting wetter and colder than normal weather for November, but as for me, I am just going to hang a down jacket in a handy place and just “wade” and see.

To see the full report, click here.

Jim Forbes
U.S. National Weather Service.

Sand Hill Water Boil Notice Lifted - November 2, 2009

To the Sand Hill Water customers that were issued a Boil Notice on October 22, 2009. Pat Wood, Jill Parker, Roy Beck, Charles Holcomb, Danny West, Jason Weaver, Mike Wilburn this has been lifted as of today 11-2- 2009.
Sand Hill Water Supply,
Cathy Adams

East Lamar Water Supply Boil Notice - October 30, 2009
Submitted by Judy Lee, Secretary East Lamar Water Supply

East Lamar Water Supply is issuing a boil water notice- due to water outage on Oct. 29-30, until further notice.

Storms cause road closures across East Texas - October 30, 2009
Submitted by Kathi White

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has closed roads in several East Texas counties following torrential rain over the last 24 hours. TxDOT crews continue to monitor roadways and remind motorists to use caution and to avoid trying to cross roadways covered with water.

Here is the latest information on roadways in the Lufkin District:

Shelby County:
• FM 2913 – CLOSED! Roadway is flooded and part of it has washed out.
• S.H. 87 at Tenaha Creek – CLOSED due to flooding.
• S.H. 7 East at Flat Fork Creek - flooding on both sides of the bridge with both lanes and the shoulders under water and it is continuing to rise
• FM 138 at Huana Creek - is impassable due to flooding
• FM 699 at Flat Fork Creek – is impassable due to flooding and water still rising
• FM 414 at Prairie Creek - is flooded

Angelina County:
• FM 2497 - high water makes the road impassable.
• FM 1818 at Bear Creek - high water but the road is passable.
• FM 1270 - high water but the road is passable.

Nacogdoches County:
• FM 226 (Kingtown) – high water between FM 2259 and S.H. 103
Polk County:
• FM 942 – closed at Long Tom Creek

Sabine County:
• S.H. 21 – water over the road two miles east of FM 330
San Augustine County:
• FM 354 – CLOSED from S.H. 21 intersection to end of pavement

All roads in Houston, San Jacinto and Trinity counties open for travel. TxDOT urges the traveling public to use alternate routes to avoid delays if possible and to obey all safety warnings and detours.

For more information, call Kathi White in the Public Information Office at (936) 633-4395.

Heavy Rainfall Keeps Emergency Personnel Busy - October 30, 2009
Story by Richard Hughes

Heavy rainfall in Shelby County kept emergency personnel busy all night and today. According to the Sheriff's Office calls started coming in about 5:00pm yesterday of roads flooding, cars submerged and trees down across the roads. Sheriff's Department, DPS, TXDOT, Center Fire Department, area VFD's, and volunteers worked through the night and again this morning.

Hwy 87 South (North side of flood waters)

At this time Hwy 7 at Flat Fork Creek bridge is under water and closed to traffic with water still rising. Hwy 87 S (foot of hill Shelbville) has water build up and traffic is being slowed down. Folsom Chapel Road is under water at different locations.

Hwy 87 South (Near Double J's )

So far there are no school closings but area schools are starting late this morning.

One of many incidents last night was when a vehicle traveling on lower Arcadia Road hydroplaned and went into a ditch by time personal got to them the car was submerged up to the head lights and the driver was on top of the truck. The Sheriff's Office got the Game Warden to use his boat to rescue the man.

Accident on Hwy 7 West Claims Two Lives - October 29, 2009
Composed by Rita Hughes, Photos by Jerryl Adams

According to DPS reports; a two vehicle wreck that occured Thursday, October 29, at approximatley 12:20 pm, just across the Shelby County line on Hwy 7 West, has claimed the lives of two passengers.

A 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, driving eastbound by 27 year old, Kendrick Roland, of Dallas; hydroplaned and crossed over into the westbound lane and was struck in the quarter panel of the vehicle by a 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup driven by 30 year old, Eric Mortmer, of Hearne, Texas.

Roland's passengers, 57 year old, Carlton Thomas Patton of Shelbville, Texas, and 57 year old, Darrell Williams of Center, were both pronounced deceased at the scene by Nacogdoches Pct 4, Judge Perkins. Kendrick Roland was transported to Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches with a collapsed lung and broken ribs. The driver of the Dodge Ram, Eric Mortmer, received no reported injuries.

The accident was investigated by Nacogdoches County DPS Trooper, John Riggins, with assistance from Troopers Jerrald Moore, John-John Williamson and Jay Stone. Also, assisted by the Nacogdoches Fire Department, Martinsville VFD and West Shelby County VFD.

Fire Destroys Family's Home - October 29, 2009
Submitted by Tammy Mikesh

The family of Tim Bass and Lorie Scott lost their home which was located off of FM 414 near Sardis Cemetery and all their belongings in a fire which occurred Wednesday afternoon. The home and all contents were a total loss.

The family is in need of clothing donations. The sizes needed would be men’s pants size 28 x 36, men’s shirts size medium to large, women’s pants size 14 to 16, women’s shirts size large, little girl’s clothes sizes 5 to 6 and 10 pants as well as 6 to 7 and 10 to 12 shirts. Jackets for the girls and parents would also be appreciated with the weather soon getting cold.

Donations can be dropped off at the Timpson Seniors Apartments or for more information, call Tammy Mikesh at 572-8193. All donations will be greatly appreciated.

In addition: According to Duane Lout with the Shelbyville VFD, the Shelbyville and Center FD responded to the fire. Upon arrival the trailer was fully engulfed in flames. The family was not home at the time of the fire.