Content about Shelby County

Tornadoes ravaged parts of North Texas and Oklahoma this week with Oklahoma City receiving a large amount of damage, as well as a large death toll resulting from the tornado which swept through the area. Emergency crews are still working to locate those that were injured and crews are working to remove debris. Shelby County has not had to deal with a tornado incident of that magnitude, but what would you do in the instance that a tornado did hit the area, and how would you prepare yourself?

Center Firefighters were busy most of the day Friday into early Saturday morning, with a residential house fire on Highway 87 North.
The initial call came in around 11:10 a.m., when the owner Irene Morris smelled smoke and heard a popping sound. Ms. Morris immediately called the fire department and was able to get out of the house unharmed.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed William Lucas, president and chief operating officer of Shelby Savings Bank, to the Finance Commission of Texas for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2018.
The commission ensures banks, savings institutions, consumer credit grantors and other state-regulated financial entities operate responsibly to enhance the financial well-being of Texans, and is responsible for overseeing the Texas Department of Banking (TXDOB), the Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML), and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC).

The Joaquin Lady Rams softball team saw its season come to an end in the third game of a best-of-three game series Saturday after getting knocked out of the playoffs in the Regional Semi-finals by Grapeland at Cushing High School.

Shelby County Judge Rick Campbell proclaimed May 17 the Eight Annual Relay for Life of Shelby County Cancer Survivor Day on Thursday, May 16 at the Shelby County Courthouse. Present for the event were several members of the Shelby County Relay for Life Committee, as well as survivors, volunteers, caregivers. The Relay for Life event is being held at the Shelby County Expo Center on State Highway 7 East on Friday, May 17 through Saturday, May 18.

Joaquin’s softball team’s four seniors know a thing or two about adversity. They’ve been through it all together. They’ve experienced the tough times but they’re well aware that hard work brings perseverance. In fact, they’re seeing that first hand as they prepare for the Grapeland Sandies in the Regional Semifinals.

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.

Emergency crews were dispatched to a wreck involving Center Independent School District bus number 13, which was traveling on Highway 7 full of students Friday afternoon and resulted in several injuries.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones, at 4:06 p.m. on Friday, April 26 a 2004 International Center ISD school bus driven by Eva Burns Cooper, 51, of Center was traveling eastbound on State Highway 7 East. As Cooper approached the intersection of FM 1656 a vehicle that was in front of her had slowed or stopped to make a turn.

The 11 and 12 year old baseball team known as the Rockies, is coached by two determined ladies who are digging in and looking to “Go Yard.” The big surprise though as of late, is that Head Coach Daphne LaRock and Assistant Shannon Denby have never even coached a team or played baseball. However, before their game Friday night, the Rockies proudly held a 4-1 record.

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.