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January 24, 2022 - According to the Texas Department of State Health Service’s Covid-19 Dashboard, since Friday there have been 142 total new cases of Covid-19 reported. Of the new cases reported over the weekend and Monday, 62 are new confirmed cases and 80 are new probable cases.
With the continued surge of Covid-19 cases, some businesses are once again encouraging masks be worn inside their locations. According to healthcare professionals, best practices for preventing the spread of Covid-19 continues to be good hand washing practices, cleaning and disinfecting, good ventilation inside buildings, wearing masks when indoors especially in large crowds or groups, and practice social distancing. If you are sick, stay home or if you have syptoms develop while out and about, go home.
No new Covid-19 deaths were reported over the weekend.
January 24th Numbers: (Changes since Jan. 23)
Confirmed Cases - 2,515 (19 new)
Probable Cases - 1,508 (9 new)
Fatalities - 117
January 23rd Numbers: (Changes since Jan. 22)
Confirmed Cases - 2,496 (18 new)
Probable Cases - 1,499 (26 new)
Fatalities - 117
January 22nd Numbers: (Changes since Jan. 21)
Confirmed Cases - 2,478 (25 new)
Probable Cases - 1,473 (45 new)
Fatalities - 117
January 21st Numbers:
Confirmed Cases - 2,453
Probable Cases - 1,428
Fatalities - 117
January 24, 2022 - The voter registration deadline for the March 1st Primary elections (Democrat and Republican) is just around the corner. January 31st is your last chance to update your address or register to vote. Make sure you’re all set to cast your ballot on March 1st. Make sure your voice is heard. Click here to visit votetexas.org to register to vote, confirm your voter registration status, update your address.
January 21, 2022 - One week ago the Texas Department of State Health Services announced an update to the Covid-19 Dashboard and a move away from reporting estimated number of active cases and estimate number of recoveries. Since then, the dashboard is only reporting the total number of cases and fatalities.
The number of confirmed cases and probable cases changed drastically after the update as the state was revising case totals to account for final 2020 case numbers. According to the press release, year-end data cleanup is a standard part of public health reporting.
The numbers published after the update and just prior to the update were as follows:
January 14th Numbers:
Confirmed Cases - 2,310
Probable Cases - 1,320
Fatalities - 115
Year - 2020-2022
January 13th Numbers: The last reported numbers before the update to the Dashboard.
Confirmed Cases - 2,002
Probable Cases - 1,495
Fatalities - 115
Active Cases (Estimated) - 438
Recovered (Estimated) - 2,945
The change moved an unknown number of cases from Probable to Confirmed. The difference between Confirmed and Probable cases is the type of test given. Confirmed cases are a person who has tested positive through a molecular test that looks for the virus’s genetic material. Probable cases are a person who has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
The combined total number of cases (Confirmed and Probable) on January 13 was 3,497. The combined total number of cases on January 14 was 3,630 for a difference of 133 new cases reported that day.
For the week, since January 14th, a total of 251 new cases were reported and 2 new deaths.
January 21st Numbers: (Changes since Jan. 14)
Confirmed Cases - 2,453 (143 new)
Probable Cases - 1,428 (108 new)
Fatalities - 117 (2 new)
DSHS updates COVID-19 dashboard with final 2020 data
Expanded demographic data to be available
January 14, 2022 Press Release - With Friday’s update to the Texas COVID-19 data dashboard, the Texas Department of State Health Services is revising case totals to account for final 2020 case numbers. DSHS reported a total of 1,620,499 confirmed and 182,983 probable cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 2020. As of today, statewide and county numbers will be adjusted to reflect those final totals. The dashboard will be down for a period of time Friday afternoon as the updates are made.
Year-end data cleanup is a standard part of public health reporting. Epidemiologists review case information to weed out cases that may have been reported multiple times or by different jurisdictions, identify cases that may have been missed, verify cases are assigned to the right county, and ensure cases are classified correctly as either confirmed or probable. Any errors are corrected, and the result is the most accurate accounting of disease cases possible. Until the finalization process is complete and data reported to the CDC, all public health data is considered provisional and subject to change.
DSHS is also making dashboard improvements, including allowing users to filter by year and enhancing the demographic information available. Data that shows disease cases by sex, age and race/ethnicity will include all Texas cases reported into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Until now, demographic data has only been available for a small subset of cases. Users will also be able to view monthly demographics for COVID-19 cases and deaths, and a future update will add rate calculations. DSHS is removing the estimates of active and recovered cases because of the difficulty of assigning them to a specific year.
The final 2020 data increases the total number of confirmed and probable Texas cases by about one-half of one percent. Individual counties may see larger changes. Most are due to a combination of de-duplicating cases reported multiple times, correcting the county of residence, or correcting the classification of the case, for example, when a person who was initially a probable case got additional testing and became a confirmed case.
DSHS will continue to update the dashboard daily with the latest available information and make improvements in data collection and display over time.
This is a picture of the vehicle believed to be driven by the suspect(s) and it is believed to be a black 2008-2011 Ford Escape. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.
January 21, 2022 - On January 17, 2022, at approximately 1:30 PM, the San Augustine Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call in regards to a shooting that took place at a residence on County Road 120 East.
At the scene, Deputies, along with San Augustine Police City Officers found that Courtney Garrett had been shot during a home invasion by two unknown black males. Mr. Garrett was transported to the emergency room in San Augustine, where he was then transported to LSU trauma center in Shreveport Louisiana by life flight.
The Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident and is currently following up on leads to identify the suspects. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact Sheriff’s Investigator Joey Haley at the San Augustine Sheriff’s Office at 936-275 2424.
January 19, 2022 - State Highway 7 (SH7) East two miles east of Center was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the major crash incident, and when they arrived both vehicles were off the roadway. One was on the westbound shoulder and the other was on the eastbound shoulder.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper David Shields, at around 6:20pm a silver 2015 Mazda CX-5 SUV driven by a 59-year-old female driver was westbound on SH7 East at an unsafe speed during wet roadway conditions and heavy rain and veered over into the eastbound lane striking head-on a grey 2019 Honda Pilot SUV which was eastbound.
The Mazda came to rest on the eastbound side of the roadway and the Honda came to rest on the westbound side of the roadway.
Both drivers were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for further medical evaluation.
Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department personnel assisted at the scene with traffic control until the roadway was clear.
Additional identifying information on the driver's was not yet available at the time of this report.
January 19, 2022 - The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK, issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch (WS 16) at 1:05pm CST on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
The Severe Thunderstorm Watch (WS 16) is in effect until 7:00pm CST for the following Texas Counties including Angelina, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller.
January 19, 2022 - The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook at 5:19am CST on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas.
Today and Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms will develop near a strong cold front as it moves across the region today. A few strong to severe storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours. Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a tornado or two will all be possible. Behind the front, a very cold airmass will move into area, with temps tonight falling into the low to mid 30s.
Thursday through Tuesday: Below normal temperatures will remain in place from the end of the work week into the first half of the weekend. Daily high temperatures will only climb into the 40s, with overnight lows in the 20s. Warmer temperatures and rain chances will return on Monday and Tuesday as another upper level disturbance moves into the region.
Spotter Information Statement: Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio operators and storm spotters will not be needed through Tuesday.
January 19, 2022 – The Lufkin District will pre-treat roadways, bridges and elevated surfaces throughout the district’s nine counties beginning Thursday morning ahead of a possible wintry mix predicted for Thursday night and Friday morning.
Crews will begin pre-treating with a brine solution in problematic areas and elevated surfaces Thursday in Polk, Trinity, San Jacinto, Angelina, Nacogdoches, Houston, Shelby, San Augustine and Sabine counties. Maintenance sections have prepared equipment and trucks to apply the brine as soon as expected rainfall tonight subsides.
“We want motorists to be prepared for any slick surfaces that could impact driving throughout this weather event,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “TxDOT is also prepared and we urge drivers to reduce speed and give the brine trucks room to work. This is a moving work zone, so stay alert if you see them along the roadways.”
Winter weather creates unpredictable and dangerous driving conditions. TxDOT strongly advises you to stay off the roads, should winter precipitation occur. If you must drive, please use extreme caution and follow these safety tips:
- Slow down. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
- Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
- Watch carefully for work crews and stay at least 200 feet behind moving equipment.
- Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas as they tend to freeze first.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you have regained traction. Then straighten your vehicle. In case of an emergency, dial 911.
Visit drivetexas.org to determine driving conditions and closures statewide. For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
January 18, 2022 - State Highway 87 North five miles from Center in the Mt. Gillion Community was the scene of back-to-back crashes Monday, January 17, 2022.
The first of the two crashes involved a pickup truck and a passenger car as the pickup truck was preparing to turn into a driveway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper David Shields, at around 6:30pm a black 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Vera Boxley, 69, with passenger passenger Sheila Reed, 57, was northbound and was preparing to turn into a private driveway.
At that time a black 2016 Chevrolet Cruze passenger car driven by Trevonte Adkins, 26, of Louisiana was in the same lane behind the Dodge and failed to control speed resulting in a collision with the rear of the truck.
Adkins and his passenger Shamia Richards, 21, were transported from the scene by ambulance for treatment of possible injury.
The crash remains under investigation.
Assisting at the scene were Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
While the investigation into the first crash was ongoing, a similar incident occurred around 1/4 of a mile south as drivers were responding to the appearance of the original crash scene and were stopping to comply with emergency traffic.
According to Texas DPS Trooper Tim Grace, traffic was becoming congested due to the previous crash when a white 2010 Kenworth driven by Kenneth Lee Campbell, 33, came to a stop and a grey 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by Carlos Morales, 28, of Timpson failed to control speed and struck the Kenworth in the rear.
During the investigation, both vehicles were removed to the shoulder until the investigation was completed and the Hyundai was towed from the scene.
No injuries were reported as a result of this crash.
Morales was cited for no driver's license, no insurance, and failure to control speed.
January 18, 2022 - Area fire departments are experiencing a rise in calls for grass and woods fires or controlled fires which are getting out of control due to high winds and dry conditions.
On Saturday, January 15, Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was called to a structure fire on FM 2975. The property owner was in the process of cleaning up a deteriorated older mobile home when the flames began traveling to nearby structures and trees. The fire department responded and assisted the property owner in regaining control of their controlled burn.
The Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department and Huxley Volunteer Fire Department were both dispatched to another fire which had gotten out of control on Monday, January 17 on CR 2799. The property owner was burning debris when winds again caused flames to spread outside of their intended area resulting in a grass and woods fire which impacted a couple of acres of property just beside a residence.
According to the Texas Forest Service website, Shelby County is currently under a high level of fire danger for the north western part of the county as a moderate level of fire danger for the south eastern part. The dry conditions mixed with the current forecast by the National Weather Service of south wind around 15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph setups a formula for poor burning conditions. The NWS forecasts a slight chance of showers on Wednesday which will help with the current dry conditions. Be kind to our volunteer fire fighters and wait for more preferable conditions.
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