Content about News

The City of Center is stepping up to the plate. The location of the softball fields has been situated within Community Park for a number of years. However, they will be finding a new home very soon. As a part of the Center Park expansion project, three new softball fields will be built right next to the current Center Park.

The Center Police Department is joining a partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation in two summer programs to help prevent incidents across Texas. The first program is “Click It or Ticket” which is intended to help prevent injury and death resulting from drivers and passengers in vehicles not wearing seat belts.
The second program is “Labor Day Impaired Driving” which has officers on the look out for intoxicated drivers.

Ace Rental Place on Loop 500 held their Grand Opening ribbon cutting on Friday, April 26 and welcomed guests. The business is located Loop 500 East of 96 South in Center.

ATV fatalities statewide are on the rise as more and more people ride unprotected. Earlier this month, a sophomore student at Center High School was seriously injured in a four-wheeler accident. So with the evergrowing number of fatalities and injuries, it is necessary to address the dangers associated with riding all terrain vehicles. Furthermore, there are some preventive measures that should be taken when riding in order to keep the unthinkable from happening.

The Center City Council recently met at the John D. Windham Civic Center on Monday, April 22 and the council approved Resolution 2013-13 Airport AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) System and Funding Agreement with Texas Department of Transportation.
In the resolution document, the City of Center offers 25% of the projects costs, and the total cost is estimated to be $195,000. Nehring explained to the audience that this is an enabling resolution to be able to submit the required paperwork to TxDOT.

The City of Center has numerous projects on the drawing board and many that are currently in progress.
One city project that is paving the way for others is the “Sidewalk Project”, which has primarily been funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The Shelby County Commissioners approved the closing of County Road 3575 at their regular meeting on Monday, April 22. Travis Rodgers, Commissioner for Precinct 3, explained that this road is in Precinct 3.
He said that signatures from landowners connecting to the roadway have been acquired authorizing the closure, but that they were unable to locate one landowner who has property adjacent to the roadway.

42 indictments were delivered as the Shelby County Grand Jury for the January 2013 term of the 273rd Judicial District Court convened on Wednesday, April 10.
Curtis Lee Pugh, possession of a controlled substance - State Jail Felony (SJF); Sarah F. Barrett, possession of a controlled substance - SJF; Terrence Steadman, burglary of a habitation - second degree felony; Porter Dashawn Gipson, burglary of a habitation - second degree felony; Elizabeth Ann Sanford, credit card/debit card abuse - SJF;

A farewell party was held for Claudann Jones, County Extension Agent, at the Shelby County Courthouse Monday, April 22 on the 2nd floor. County officials, friends and coworkers were present to wish Jones well on her transition to the Nacogdoches County Extension office. Pictured are (from left): Lane Dunn, Shelby County Extension Agent; Claudann Jones, Shelby County Extension Agent; and Daphne Lovell of the Shelby County Extension office.

The Light and Champions’ newest editorial staff member is no stranger to news. Jeremy Lile (JJ Lyonz) recently worked for Center Broadcasting Company, where he was the News Director for both KQBB and KDET radio stations.
“Jeremy brings a multitude of skills to the table with his background in radio and computer software,” said Dale Buie, Publisher of The Light and Champion. “He will also be working on the expansion of The Light and Champion’s website.”