Arrests Made By Desoto Parish Directed Patrol Unit - February 3, 2012

The Desoto Parish Directed Patrol Unit charges seven on various offenses ranging from traffic violations, warrants and drug offenses working in and around Logansport, Louisiana area, A traffic stop on highway five resulted in the seizure of approximately half an ounce of methamphetamine, ecstasy tablets, prescription medications, packaging materials along with assorted drug related paraphernalia and $22,700 in cash.

Kenneth Craig Graves

Jennifer Jill Stewart

Officers charged the following from Shelby County:

Kenneth Craig Graves age 27 of Joaquin Texas

• Fugitive Warrant Shelby County Texas (Weapons Charges)

Jennifer Jill Stewart age 33 of Joaquin Texas

• Possession of Schedule II CDS With Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamine)
• Possession of Schedule III CDS (Hydrocodone)
• Possession of Drug Related Paraphernalia
• Speeding
• Possession of CDS in Presence of a Juvenile

Early Morning Fire at Port-A-Cool - February 1, 2012
Composed by Leah Williams

The Center Fire Department responded to a fire at the Port-A-Cool plant located on FM 2468 Wednesday morning, February 1, 2012 at 8:50am.

Upon arrival the fire department found black smoke billowing from the top of the structure. Firefighters soon learned that an exhaust fan had caught on fire and flames were traveling up the vent stack resulting in the funnel of black smoke coming from the top of the building.

Freedom 1 EMS responded to the scene to ensure the safety of the firefighters and those on scene; thankfully there were no injuries.

The fire department was able to extinguish the flames with their tanker truck. The new ladder truck was brought out to access the stack from the roof and verify that the fire had not spread anywhere else in the building.

Multiple Vehicle Accident on US 96 South - February 1, 2012
Composed by J.J. Ford

A dense fog rolled in shortly after the accident reducing visibility at accident scene.

DPS responded to a multiple vehicle accident Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:20pm three miles out of Center on US 96 South. A 2006 Ford F-250 pickup registered to Propane Fuel of Center driven by Carlos Solis also of Center was traveling south on US 96 and slowed to make a left turn into a private drive. A 2005 International truck tractor pulling a trailer driven by Timmy Joe Jernigan of Mississippi was also traveling south on US 96 behind the Ford pickup. The truck tractor failed to control its speed and took evasive action to the left to avoid striking the rear of the pickup. Both vehicles made contact causing left distributed to right distributed damage. They came to rest in the ditch off the shoulder of the highway after striking a pipe fence belonging to Weldon Boles.

Jernigan was cited for failure to control speed. The accident was investigated by DPS Trooper Keith Jones.

Center Weather Stats for January 2012 - February 1, 2012
Prepared & Submitted by Jim & Ann Forbes, U.S. Weather Service

Full Report

Highest Temp was 78 degrees on 1-20-12
Highest Temp on Record was 82 degrees on 1-25-1972
Lowest Temp was 25 degrees on 1-03-12
Lowest Temp on Record was 6 degrees on 1-12-62

Rainfall Recorded was 4.72 inches
Average Monthly Rainfall is 4.45 inches
Above Average by .27 inches
Highest Recorded for this month was 12.13 inches in 1999
Lowest Recorded for this month was 0.57 in 1986

Local Joaquin Man Arrested - January 31, 2012

According to Sheriff Newton Johnson, on January 30, 2012 Benjamin Lee Jr. of Joaquin was arrested on a Felony charge of Manufacture / Delivery of Cocaine in a Drug-Free Zone. This arrest took place at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department

Benjamin Lee Jr. was then booked into the Shelby County Jail without incident. This charge is a 4th degree Felony and bond was set at $1,000.00.

Sheriff Johnson states that this arrest was the result of an undercover investigation conducted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Johnson would also like to let those persons who are selling illegal drugs in Shelby County know that you could be next.

Vehicle Crossing from Valero Causes Accident - January 26, 2012
Story and Photos by Leah Williams

A two vehicle accident occurred on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at San Augustine Street in front of the Valero Convenience Store.

Involved was a Ford F-150 driven by Aide Dimenez, 37 and a Hyundai Sonata driven by Lonnie Roberts, 44 and a minor passenger.

The Ford F-150 was leaving the Valero gas station traveling to Martin Street crossing both lanes. The Sonata was traveling west on San Augustine Street when it struck the right side of the F-150 just behind the passenger door.

Aide Dimenez, driver of the F-150, received a citation for no drivers license and failure to yield right of way.

Accident was investigated by Scott Burkhalter.

Shelby County Under a Tornado Watch with Chance of Severe Weather - January 25, 2012

Tornado watch until 3 pm cst. (Updated)
Severe thunderstorm warning for: North Centra lNacogdoches County in eastern Texas, this includes the city of Nacogdoches, Shelby county in eastern Texas, this includes the city of Center, southern Gregg County in northeast Texas, this includes the city of Kilgore, southern Harrison County in northeast Texas, Panola County in northeast Texas, this includes the city of Carthage, eastern Rusk County in northeast Texas, this includes the city of Henderson, Until 1130 am cst.

At 10:29 am CST, National Weather Service meteorologists detected a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. These storms were located along a line extending from Kilgore to 6 miles north of Nacogdoches, and moving east at 50 mph.

Other locations in the warning include but are not limited to Minden, Pinehill, Garrison, Tatum, Timpson, Beckville, Tenaha, Waskom, Shelbyville, Joaquin, Elysian Fields and Deberry.

Precautionary/preparedness actions,
A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. If a tornado is spotted, act quickly and move to a place of safety in a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small interior room.

This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path, prepare immediately for damaging winds, destructive hail, and deadly cloud to ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter, preferably inside a strong building but away from windows.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will affect areas south of the Interstate 20 corridor. Including the East Texas lakes and Toledo Bend reservoir areas. Eastward into northwest and north central Louisiana.

Expect brief heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds with any of these developing showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall totals may exceed a half inch in some areas over the next couple of hours.

The threat of isolated tornadoes will also accompany this complex of thunderstorm activity.

A Tornado watch is in effect until 3:00 pm cst for the following locations:

Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler

Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected today and tonight as a strong surface low pressure system approaches from the southwest. Rainfall may be heavy at times and total rainfall amounts of up to 3 or 4 inches will be possible. Therefore minor flooding will be possible. In addition there is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms. Generally along and south of the Interstate 20 corridor.

Damaging winds and hail will be the main threats. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Mainly across Deep East Texas and West Central Louisiana.

Thursday through Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms will continue into thursday. Locations east of the Interstate 49 corridor will generally be the most at risk for any heavy rain Thursday. However, severe weather is not expected. Rain is expected to linger until early Friday when the main upper level trough moves east of the area.