CNN To Feature SCT News Story - July 18, 2008

Grayson Thagard, Associate Producer of "News To Me", CNN Headline News contacted Shelby County Today earlier in the week and requested permission to use the photos of the aftermath of the Truck striking the bank awning that recently received overnight fame.

Grayson in his own words: Sitting at my desk at CNN Center on Tuesday I happened to look up at the live feed from Studio H just in time to see Chuck Roberts toss to security camera video of a pickup pulling a 5th wheel trailer that clips the roof of a bank drive-through… I also went about trying to find any additional information I could about where this happened and the condition of the driver. That led me to the online “newspaper” Shelby County Today…

To read the full story by Grayson Thagard Visit the “News To Me” website at http://www.cnn.com/newstome and click ‘Live from the Blog’ section to view the of Shelby County Today’s featured photos.

"News To Me" airs on CNN Headline News (the Nancy Grace network, not the Wolf Blitzer network). You can see it Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm; Sunday at 12:30am, 5:30am, 7:30pm & 9:30pm; and Monday at 12:30am & 5:30am (all times Eastern).

Lake Pinkston Estates Boil Water Notice Lifted - July 17, 2008

The Boil Water notice for Lake Pinkston Estates residents only, has been removed as of today July 17, 2008.Cathy Adams, Sand Hills Water Supply, Corp.

Boil Water Notice/Sand Hill Water Supply - July 17, 2008

This boil water notice is only for the residents that were without water on Wednesday July 16, 2008. Due to a major water break on Highway 7 west, you need to boil your water.

Cathy Adams - Sand Hills Water Supply, Corp.

Jury Cancellation for July 21st - July 15, 2008
Submitted by Lori Oliver, District Clerk Shelby County

The jury that has been summoned for "Monday", Julu 21, 2008 for the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable Guy W. Griffin, Judge presiding, has been cancelled. All cases have been passed or settled. Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.

Former Texas Ranger, Dub Clark, Visits Friends in Center - July 15, 2008
By Rita Hughes

A special visitor to Center on Tuesday, July 15th, brought old friends back together for early morning coffee and a reunion.

Jimmy Matthews, Everett Harbison, Dub Clark, Johnny Hughes

Eighty-Two old, former Texas Ranger, Dub Clark, came to Center to visit his sister, LaVern Fields. Due to health problems, Dub’s visits have become few and farther between. He and his wife, Mary Kay, still live in Austin .

Dub started his career in law enforcement as with the TXDPS as a Highway Patrolman. His partner at the time was Rusty Vinyard. According to Johnny Hughes; they not only worked Shelby County but San Augustine and Sabine Counties as well. Vinyard worked as a motorcycle officer for some of those years.

Dub’s desire was to become a Texas Ranger and that was made possible when then, State Senator, Center native, Wardlow Lane , made it possible for a new station to be opened in San Augustine to which Clark was assigned. He made his way up to Sergeant, then to Austin , where he was over Internal Affairs of the TXDPS until his retirement. While a law officer, he mentored many others included former Center Chief of Police officers, Johnny Hughes and Jimmy Matthews; former Sheriff, Maxie Eaves and former Officer Everett Harbison.

On Tuesday, three of these were thrilled to meet Mr. Clark for coffee and reminisce about old times. Maxie Eaves could not be present due to scheduled surgery on his hand.

Johnny Hughes became Constable during this time and says that Dub Clark, as well as, former Sheriff, Charlie B. Christian, and his brother, Alton Hughes, were the main influences in his becoming a law officer himself. He said all the agencies, at that time, worked together in the county and often rode together. The Highway Patrol office was located in the old courthouse and the jail was in the building at the corner of Nacogdoches and Austin Streets.

Dub and his late wife, Billie, have three sons. Steve and wife Helen live in Tyler where he is an administrator for the Tyler school system. They have two children. Son, Bill, (who brought Dub to Center for his visit) and his wife Melinda live in Huntsville and have three children. Bill is retired from TDCJ where he was a college program administrator. Son, Jimmy and his wife, Susie, live in Hemphill where he is the elementary school principal.

To see photos and bios of these former law officers, click on names - to return to main story after reading bio, hit back button. (This information is provided through the Shelby County Historical Society Museum and Library.) Dub Clark, Jimmy Matthews, Everett Harbison, Johnny Hughes.

Also, there is a related article about former law officers on an article posted on Rita’s Ramblins. If you have not seen this story, and are interested, Click Here.

Commissioners’ Court Meeting - July 14, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the governing body of the Commissioners’ Court of Shelby County , Texas was held on Monday, July 14, 2008 beginning at 9:30am. There were 15 Items on the agenda. Below are some of the highlights of the meeting.

On Item 4: The court accepted the renewal of employee Health Insurance benefits with TAC (Texas Association of Counties.) They voted for a change in the policy to Alternative I which will increase the cost to the county and employee, slightly, each month. The benefits will be better with only about an $11.00 a month increase to the employee for employee and spouse coverage, and the increased expense to the county will be $15,000 per year.

On Item 5: Tri-County was not present for their presentation.

On Item 6: Although they were not named; the list of election and alternate judges were approved for the 2008-2009 election year.

On Item 7: John Howard was reappointed to the Board of Trustees of the Burke Center to represent Shelby County . This is a volunteer position. Monthly meetings are held in Lufkin .

On Item 8: The court approved the pledged budget for the Burke Center for the budget year of 2008-2009 and voted for an increase to the center from $14,350 to $24,497 for budget year 2009-2010.

On Item 9: Ray Vann of Ray Vann and Associates was on hand to discuss a resolution to submit a 2009-2010 Texas Community Development Program grant application. This grant would be submitted to the Office of Rural & Community Affairs and if granted, the county would get a full grant of $250,000 that could be used for street/road improvements in Shelby County . If the grant is approved, the improvements would have to been done in certain income level areas of the county. The county judge would be in charge of the funds but all improvement locations would have to be approved by the commissioners. (on an added note: Ray Vann and Associates is a private firm hired to locate and write grants and will be paid a commission by Shelby County if the grant is approved.)

On Item 11: The commissioners approved a motion that most of the front area of the courthouse will now be deemed a non-smoking area. Signs will soon be posted saying that the front walk-way, as well as, the front-door area will be non-smoking areas.

On Item 12: Three new nominations were accepted and approved to be members of the Historical Commission. These were Reecy Stanley, Glenda McGinty and Rita Hughes.

An executive session was held to discuss personnel and other matters. When it was over, the court reconvened and discussed two other items.

On Item 13: From the executive session; Tammy Wiggins was hired into a new position to serve as the secretary to the four commissioners. This position will begin on July 21, 2008.

On Item 14: From executive session; the decision was made to purchase the old Dodge/Chrysler building on the south side of the square from Jimmy and Ann Parker for a sum of $89, 826.70. The approximate closing date of this purchase will be August 12, 2008. The county plans to use the Parker building as county offices but this is still to be determined. What is definite is that the county will use some of the area for additional parking.

Motorcycle Accident Sends One To Hospital - July 14, 2008
Submitted by Center Police Department

According to Chief of Police Walter Shofner on July 11, 2008 Johnny Haessly, age 48 of Center, was involved in a one motorcycle accident about 10:29 pm. The vehicle was a 2003 silver Honda. Haessly lost control of his vehicle on Shelbyville St. and then left the scene before police arrived. Mr. Haessly was located several hours later and was taken to a Shreveport hospital by helicopter. The accident was investigated by Center Police Officer Ben Miller.

According to the DPS Office, Friday, July 11th, at 3:55 PM a white Dodge pickup was traveling west bound on CR 2465 in Huxley while a Kawasaki ATV was traveling north bound. The pickup crossed over into the ATV’s lane of traffic causing the ATV to swerve to avoid being hit. The ATV left the roadway and struck a tree. The ATV was driven by Cassidy Elliott, 13, of Shelbyville and had two passengers, Alyssa Kay and Lindyie Bryant both 13 years old. All three were taken by private vehicle to Shelby Regional hospital for their injuries. The white Dodge pickup failed to stop and render aid. One ticket was issued to Shonda Elliott for permitting a unlicensed minor to drive.