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Area firemen honor fire chief

Timpson Volunteer Firemen are seen in the above photo escorting Billy Hailey, Timpson Volunteer Fire Chief, to his final resting place at Corinth Cemetery north of Timpson on U.S. Highway 84 on Friday, March 29. Hailey passed away on Wednesday, March 26, and services were held at First Baptist Church Timpson. Fire departments that also attended the funeral include Center, Joaquin, Tenaha, West Shelby, Shelbyville, and Garrison.

Calhoun enters guilty plea to murder charge

The long awaited trial of Lana Sue Calhoun, involving the murder of her brother-in-law Alan Kent Calhoun, has come to an end. Calhoun pleaded guilty on Thursday, March 28 to the murder of Alan which took place on Sept. 22, 2009.
The judge presiding over the case is Charles “Brick” Dickerson, 123rd Judicial District Court Judge. As a result of Calhoun’s plea, she will be incarcerated in the Texas Department Of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for 30 years.

2013 “Health and Fitness Fair” boasts record numbers

A record number of vendors and a large number of attendees were on hand for the 6th Annual Health and Fitness Fair Thursday, March 28 at the Windham Civic Center.
Hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, the event was free to the public and the vendors gave away many door prizes during the hours of 9 a.m to 1 p.m., when the event closed.

Shelby Savings Bank open house to be held on April 7

Shelby Savings Bank is celebrating the completion of an extensive 8,000-square-foot expansion project at its main location at 111 Selma Street in Center with an Open House, Sunday, April 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The public is invited to see the updates while enjoying refreshments and visiting with the Shelby Savings Bank employees.
Several years of solid growth made it necessary for Shelby Savings Bank to expand its main location, and the expansion will allow the bank to add new positions and better serve customers, bank officials said.

Kaufman County SO continues investigation into D.A. murder

This release is to confirm the arrest of Nick Morale, 56, of Terrell, Texas. Mr. Morale was arrested on April 2, 2013, by the Texas Rangers on one charge of Terroristic Threat (Texas Penal Code 22.07). Mr. Morale was arraigned this morning following his arrest and is being held in the Kaufman County Jail on $1,000,000 bond.

Center baseball, softball fans enjoy renovations

Center ISD installs Raptor systems for school security

Center ISD is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for student, staff and visitors. In order to accomplish this, the District is implementing a visitor management system at all campuses beginning on Monday, April 1. This system, called Raptor, will replace paper-based logs and is capable of scanning IDs, producing visitor badges and checking all visitors against registered sex offender databases. The overall goal is to better control access to all CISD campuses thus providing enhanced safety for our students and staff.

Shelby County celebrates Easter

Shelby County citizens celebrated Easter over the past week- end and New Life Church had a turnout of 102 children plus adults for their Annual Easter Celebration on Sunday, March 31. The rainy weather held off and everyone was able to gather a great many eggs and have hot dogs outside of the church while they en- joyed music and ministry inside.

Easter crashes present serious results for some

Several drivers in cars and four-wheelers were involved in crashes across Shelby County over the Easter holiday with serious results for some involved.

Commissioners grant new software; road under dispute

Cline Family Medicine has ribbon cutting

A grand opening ribbon cutting was held at Cline Family Medicine at 630 Hurst St. in Center at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and staff. Pictured in the white lab coats (from left) are PA Mike Belgard and Dr. Mark Cline, owner. Holding the red bow is Becky Cline and next to her is Sarah Cline, the Clines' youngest daughter. A large number of people were on hand to welcome the Clines to Center and to tour the new facilities.

Wreck occurs on FM 711, CFD frees man from vehicle

Emergency personnel were dispatched to a single-vehicle wreck on FM 711 Friday night where a driver was trapped. According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, on Friday, March 29 at 11:01 p.m.

Crash on Highway 7 results in fatality, traffic delays

A two-vehicle wreck on State Highway 7 East resulted in a fatality and the highway being shut down for several hours on Thursday. Law enforcement officers including the members of the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS), Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Constable Precinct 3 were all dispatched to the scene.

Wreck on State Highway 7 East blocks traffic lanes

A wreck involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck is currently blocking both traffic lanes on State Highway 7 East between Center and Joaquin. Traffic is currently being re-directed around the crash scene. Several injuries have been reported as the result of the incident. More information will be made available as the report is given from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Center PD arrests S.O. jailer

A Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Jailer has been arrested and charged with misuse of official information and credit card abuse in connection with an inmates property.
According to affidavits obtained by The Light and Champion from Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Kelly Pitts Watts is alleged to have taken the debit card of an inmate and used it to make purchases.

CHS Seniors Who Make a Difference, Teachers honored at 2013 banquet

The honor bestowed on the seniors chosen is given to those who bring a positive vibe and influence to whatever environment they inhabit in their school. The seniors, in turn, name and honor a teacher who has been influential in their school careers.

Resolution 2013-9 receives approval from city council

The Center City Council, at its regular meeting on Monday, March 25, approved Resolution 2013-9, Draft A, which requests “that any such enabling legislation explicitly allow for a serparate and secondary proposition for the voters of the City of Center to vote to join or exclude the jurisdiction from the Groundwater District should it be created.”
Other agenda items approved were:
• Resolution 2013-10 – Waiver of payment in lieu of taxes for Center Housing Authority.

Power loss due to wreck

CPD, SCSD operation results in arrest of six

A joint operation between the Center Police Department (CPD) and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) in Tenaha resulted in the arrest of six suspects on drug charges. A warrant was served on a residence located at 2488 CR 4366 in Tenaha at around 7 p.m. on Monday, March 17.
Authorities with the CPD and the SCSD entered the residence of George Naylor Bowers and began searching for drugs and other drug evidence.

Two-vehicle crash causes fire, injuries

A two-vehicle crash on Friday resulted in a vehicle fire, Highway 87 being shut down and some individuals that were involved being transported to the hospital.
According to Timpson Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle wreck on State Highway 87 North approximately .4 miles north of County Road 4020 at 8:30 p.m. on March 22.

Band Boosters have 3rd Annual 5K run

The Timpson Band Boosters held their 3rd Annual March for Music 5K Walk/Run/Ride on Saturday, March 23 in SoSo Park and they had a participants from Timpson, Center and event Houston in attendance. Participants took a route through SoSo Park and then onto Bear Drive where they ran all the way to Timpson ISD and back through the park several times.
There were 19 participants in all for the event including the cyclists, walkers and runners from each category.

S.A., Shelby County Day in Austin, April 24–25

Leadership Shelby County chairman, Derek Pierce recently announced plans are underway for San Augustine & Shelby County Day in Austin 2013 to be held April 24-25. The Texas Legislature recently convened for the 83rd legislative session.
 Citizens of San Augustine County and Shelby County are being asked to form a delegation to travel to Austin by charter bus to the Texas State Capitol to learn about various issues and agencies as well as make any state government concerns known to lawmakers.

Police, Walmart raise funds for TNT

The Center Police Department (CPD) held a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 hosted by Walmart in the Walmart parking lot. The fundraiser is to raise funds for bullet proof vests for the Center Police Department Tactical Narcotics Team. During the day the officers offered Identa Kid fingerprinting for area children. CPD Office Megan Wright (pictured) helped in providing this service.

Malone dedicates book to teacher

Equallia Malone (center) and her son, DeQuincy Stansberry, pose on the red carpet with Winola Ellis, Equallia’s high school English teacher. The occasion was a book signing on Saturday, March 16 at the Windham Civic Center for Equallia’s new book, The Message, co-authored with her son and dedicated to Mrs. Ellis. Ms. Malone’s mother is Dorothy Jones and pops is James Jones, both of Center. She is also the daughter of Michael and Vicki Lee of Center.

Calhoun trial begins in Panola County

Opening arguments were heard in Panola County in open court for the Alan Kent Calhoun murder trial on Wednesday, March 20 with Jane Starnes, District Attorney pro tem, presenting the case before the court.
Lana Sue Calhoun (Susie) is the defendant and she has been charged with the alleged murder of Alan Kent Calhoun on Sept. 22, 2009 as well as injury to a disabled person.