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Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Zack Clark | Light and Champion

CPD hosts fundraiser for fellow officer

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, the Center Police Department and its Auxiliary came together to support Sergeant Jake Gross by hosting a fish fry fundraiser to help cover his extensive medical expenses.
Glenn, Madeline, and Jason Gill (center), recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year Award, are joined by Susan Stutts (right), TFA Senior Director, and Michael Easley (far right), Chair of the Texas Tree Farm Committee, during the Texas Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Nacogdoches. Submitted | Light and Champion

Glenn, Madeline, and Jason Gill (center), recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year Award, are joined by Susan Stutts (right), TFA Senior Director, and Michael Easley (far right), Chair of the Texas Tree Farm Committee, during the Texas Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Nacogdoches. Submitted | Light and Champion

TFA names Gill family 2025 Outstanding Tree Farmers

News@lightandchampion.com The Light And Champion
Thursday, November 6, 2025
SubmittedTexas Forestry Association (TFA) presented Glenn, Madeline, and Jason Gill of Tenaha with the 2025 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Award during its annual meeting held Oct. 22-24 at The Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center in Nacogdoches.
During an emergency city council meeting held Friday, Oct. 31, Joaquin mayor, Jessie Griffith (left) resigned his position. The council appointed Rusty Wilson (right) to take his place. David Danley | Light and Champion

During an emergency city council meeting held Friday, Oct. 31, Joaquin mayor, Jessie Griffith (left) resigned his position. The council appointed Rusty Wilson (right) to take his place. David Danley | Light and Champion

Joaquin mayor resigns

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
In a well-attended emergency city council meeting held Friday, Oct. 31, Joaquin mayor Jessie Griffith resigned from his position on the council in an executive session held during the meeting. This followed the resignation earlier in the week of former city secretary Cheryl Green.
Jose Martinez

Jose Martinez

Driver who struck SCSO vehicle arrested

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
On the night of Monday, Nov. 3, the Shelby County Sheriff ’s Office responded to a report from a concerned citizen who narrowly avoided a collision with a reckless driver on SH 7 west of Center.
Center police officers interview bystanders at the scene where a Center resident perished in an accidental burning last Friday. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Center police officers interview bystanders at the scene where a Center resident perished in an accidental burning last Friday. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Officers investigate burning death

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
In what is being preliminarily termed a tragic accident, the body of a Center resident was discovered pinned under a burn barrel in the early morning hours of Friday, Oct. 31.
Halloween on the Square attendees, including two princesses and a fireman, can be seen approaching the Light and Champion staff as they disperse candy.

Halloween on the Square attendees, including two princesses and a fireman, can be seen approaching the Light and Champion staff as they disperse candy.

2025 Halloween on the Square

News Staff
Monday, November 3, 2025
The second annual Halloween on the Square, sponsored by the Light and Champion and many other businesses around the Center Square, was a great success with multitudes of participants of all ages enjoying the event.
CPD officers can be seen speaking with individuals at the scene where the unattended death was discovered.

CPD officers can be seen speaking with individuals at the scene where the unattended death was discovered.

Center resident perishes in fire

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
At 6:17 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31st, units of the Center Police Department were dispatched to Noble St. in Center to investigate an unattended death.
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