Shelby County Today

September 15, 2021 - On September 8, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

San Augustine Rural Water has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of September 15, 2021.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office:
220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.

September 8, 2021 - Due to a break in a line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notify Customers on FM 2213 and the Roberts Community to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands / face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, Seniors and Persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact San Augustine Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

September 15, 2021 - The Shelby County Commissioners agreed to establish an inter-local agreement with Harrison County for inmate housing during their meeting held September 8, 2021.

County Judge Allison Harbison made attempts on the day previous to the meeting to help clear out the inmates from the jail who didn't need to remain there; however, the capacity is still high.

"The jail is pretty full, I tried to get everybody I could out yesterday," said Judge Harbison. "I think I got all of my standalone misdemeanors out, I think we may have one that was arrested on Monday."

Don Moore, Jail Administrator, commented the total inmates at the time of the meeting was 47 inmates.

The proposed rate being discussed was $40 a day, which Judge Harbison commented was very reasonable.

"It's the only one I've found so far that'll take 'em," said Moore. "Nobody else is taking them because of Covid."

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain asked, regarding possible jail repairs, if it would be difficult to move inmates. Moore stated they would have to move 21 inmates, if they moved them on the day of the meeting, so they could work on one side of the jail or the other.

"Right now we have to exercise Covid protocol, so I have to have a place, that's the problem right now with 47 I have to have a place to quarantine inmates when they come in for 10-14 days," said Moore. "Those that's been exposed and those that have it, try to keep it out of the jail."

Judge Harbison confirmed with Moore, Harrison County is aware of the potential a large number of inmates may need housing from Shelby County during repairs.

Moore remarked Harris County, Polk County and Angelina County are all full, Nacogdoches County is having to house inmates elsewhere and Rusk County has inquired if Shelby County could house any of their inmates, which they can't.

A motion carried by the commissioners to approve an inter-local agreement with Harrison County on housing Shelby County inmates.

The commissioners considered the closure of CR 3774.

Leanne Roberson and Kevin Jones addressed the court as property owners on CR 3774.

"It's a dead end road and they both own all of the property on either side of the road," said Judge Harbison.

A motion carried by the commissioners to close CR 3774 at the state highway.

A motion carried by the commissioners to accept Capital Credits in the amount of $20,246.98.

Discussion then followed when considering how to disperse those funds, and Judge Harbison asked Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, for clarification on how those funds have been disbursed in the past.

"In the past we have basically distributed all of this money to the [Shelby County Children's] Advocacy Center," said Porterfield.

A motion carried by the commissioners to disburse the Capital Credits for FY 2020 in the amount of $20,246.98 to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center.

A motion then carried to adjourn the meeting.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Inter-local agreement with Harrison County on housing our inmates, should the need arise.
3. Close all or a portion of CR 3774.
4. Payment of Capital Credits in the amount of $20,246.98.
5. Disperse the Capital Credits for FY 2020.
6. Adjourn.

September 14, 2021 - Per Sheriff Kevin W. Windham, effective Immediately all inmate visitation has been suspended at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office until further notice.

Cash will no longer be accepted to deposit on an inmate’s books for commissary purchases. If you wish to leave money in the drop box, you will need to bring in a money order or cashier’s check made out to the inmate. Please make sure that you tear off the receipt and keep for your records.

September 13, 2021 - TxDOT crews are preparing today for Tropical Storm Nicholas that is expected to impact the Lufkin District for most of the week.

Crews will be following all safety protocols and are prepared to respond to any needs in the nine-county district. Crews are preparing equipment, cleaning ditches, checking road signs and signals and checking problematic areas that are prone to flooding.

The public is advised to stay alert to rising water should there be excessive rain from Tropical Storm Nicholas. Never drive through a flooded roadway or around barricades.

“Our crews are ready for this weather event, but we want the public to also be ready and make a plan to stay safe should we experience any flooding,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “As always, driving is discouraged during heavy rain or flooding. Never drive through a flooded roadway. There is no way of knowing whether the safety of the road beneath the water has been compromised until crews can inspect it.”

Follow all updates and alerts for the Lufkin District on Facebook at Texas Department of Transportation (Lufkin) and on Twitter at TxDOT Lufkin. For updates on road conditions statewide, visit drivetexas.org. Remember to Turn Around Don’t Drown.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.