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John Pope, former Deputy Constable for Precinct 5, was formally sworn in by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison as the new Precinct 5 Constable during a ceremony held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the second floor of the Shelby County Courthouse. The ceremony was witnessed by various other county officials, along with members of Pope’s family. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

John Pope, former Deputy Constable for Precinct 5, was formally sworn in by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison as the new Precinct 5 Constable during a ceremony held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, in the Commissioners Courtroom on the second floor of the Shelby County Courthouse. The ceremony was witnessed by various other county officials, along with members of Pope’s family. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Pope sworn in as Const. Pct. 5

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Pope sworn in as Const. Pct. 5
Ashley Chandler, Light and Champion General Manager, (left) presents Tonya Harry of CASA of Nacogdoches and Center with a check for $1,220 raised by funds from a silent auction held at the 2025 Best of Shelby County Banquet. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Ashley Chandler, Light and Champion General Manager, (left) presents Tonya Harry of CASA of Nacogdoches and Center with a check for $1,220 raised by funds from a silent auction held at the 2025 Best of Shelby County Banquet. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

2025 Best of Shelby County Silent Auction provides funds for CASA

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The Light and Champion is honored to announce that the 2025 Best of Shelby County banquet was an all-around success.
Jake Metcalf, former Tenaha City Police Chief, addressed the Tenaha city council concerning restricted speech at council meetings and alleged illegal activity by council members at the council’s Monday, Aug. 25, meeting. David Danley | Light and Champion

Jake Metcalf, former Tenaha City Police Chief, addressed the Tenaha city council concerning restricted speech at council meetings and alleged illegal activity by council members at the council’s Monday, Aug. 25, meeting. David Danley | Light and Champion

Tenaha city council meeting scene of more confrontation

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The Tenaha city council meeting was the scene of friction between some members of the public, including a former city official, and members of the council at its meeting held on Monday, Aug. 25. The left-over heightened tensions spilled over into the parking lot once again after the meeting.
Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees President Etola Jones listens as Superintendent Ray West delivers his superintendent’s report to the board at its Aug. 11 meeting. David Danley | Light and Champion

Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees President Etola Jones listens as Superintendent Ray West delivers his superintendent’s report to the board at its Aug. 11 meeting. David Danley | Light and Champion

Shelbyville board considers tax rate, bank depository, teacher salaries

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
In its Monday, Aug. 11, regular meeting, the main items considered by the Shelbyville ISD board of trustees were the proposed 2025-26 tax rate, bank depository and teacher salaries.“For the 2025-26 school year the administration proposes a tax rate of 66.83 cents per $100 evaluation.
Joel Sopchak petitions the commissioners court to have the county close off CR 4192. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Joel Sopchak petitions the commissioners court to have the county close off CR 4192. Zack Clark | Light and Champion

Radio system repairs approved, unclaimed credits given to CAC

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Approving a payment for repairing radio communication towers and distributing unclaimed property capital credits to the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (SCCAC) were leading items of discussion at the commissioners’ court special meeting held on Wednesday, Aug.
TOP WINNERS – These Center Intermediate School students were the top money-raisers in the recent Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program. They include: (front row, left to right) Mia McDougal, Chris Harvey, Tremaine Hewitt, Kendrick Dones and LeVincie Harrison. (Back row, left to right) Danny Bell, LaShana Davis, Elizabeth Salad, Alisa Baskins and Randy Tomlin. Not pictured, Farrah Wilkins.

TOP WINNERS – These Center Intermediate School students were the top money-raisers in the recent Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program. They include: (front row, left to right) Mia McDougal, Chris Harvey, Tremaine Hewitt, Kendrick Dones and LeVincie Harrison. (Back row, left to right) Danny Bell, LaShana Davis, Elizabeth Salad, Alisa Baskins and Randy Tomlin. Not pictured, Farrah Wilkins.

PICTURE FROM OUR PAST

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
From the Friday, Nov. 7, 1986 edition of the Light and Champion
Should I update my picture

Should I update my picture

Should I update my picture

Leon Aldridge Community Columnist
Thursday, August 21, 2025
“Things that make you go ‘hmmm.’” — Arsenio Hall, actor, comedian, and talk show host ---- Interesting and surprising turns of events. Seemingly unrelated occurrences connecting in unexpected ways. Things that make you go, “hmmm!
Silver Threads Among the Gold

Silver Threads Among the Gold

Silver Threads Among the Gold

Terri Lacher Community Columnist
Thursday, August 21, 2025
We recently took a trip to New Orleans to help celebrate an anniversary of a family member. It wasn’t just any anniversary. It was our brother and sister-in-law’s 50th year, one lifetime of memories, happy times, raising a family together and growing up together.
First special session ends, Democrats still not present

First special session ends, Democrats still not present

First special session ends, Democrats still not present

Gary Borders Texas Press Assoc.
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Special session ends; Dems make new demands With a quorum-breaking number of House Democrats still out of state, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, gaveled the first special session to an end Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott immediately called a second special session that has already convened.
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