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February 23, 2021 - The Timpson City Council was holding a closed executive session meeting Tuesday, February 23, to discuss the fate of the city’s police department.
Council members were meeting with an attorney representing the city and the items listed on the agenda included:
The operation, budget, and potential closure of the City of Timpson Police Department. As well as possible action concerning a reduction in force of the remaining staff at the City of Timpson Police Department including the Chief of Police.
At 4pm the meeting went right into executive session, and as of 6:15pm returned to open session.
Upon returning to open session, no action was taken and mayor Debra Smith stated the item would be considered at the next council meeting.
It’s yet to be publicly determined if the city of Timpson will cease to have a police department.
February 22, 2021 - The Tenaha City Council held a meeting February 8, 2021 to revisit items previously discussed in the January 25, 2021 meeting as several items weren't appropriately voted on following council motions.
Both meetings included lengthy executive sessions. Following the February 8 executive session, the council voted to accept resignations of the Chief of Police Bobby Linder and Captain William Denison.
A motion carried to accept the resignations of both officers, and left the department with one officer, Chris Benton.
In both letters of resignation submitted by the officers they cited a "hostile work environment" and "fear of retaliation" from certain council members and a constant "break in the chain of command."
The council revisited five items from the January 25 meeting agenda to resolve issues involving voting on the items. In some instances there was a motion and a second; however, there was not a vote to carry the item.
The council discussed moving $17,879.14 from one account to another to pay First National Bank Wichita Falls for loan number 66879 during the January 25 meeting.
"We have to do something, we be broke," said Durand Steadman, Alderman. Florance Adams said she already told him they were broke and Steadman responded, "We ain't broke yet, we got $185,[000] we fixin' to get broke I'm gonna cash that joker in."
During that meeting a motion was made by Florance Adams to pay the $17,879.14 that the city owes to First National Bank Wichita Falls out of the city Improvements account and to check into how much it will cost to pay off the police department vehicles, and how much would be saved.
Adams motion was seconded by Linda Vickery and Steadman stated his vote was nay. Mayor Michael Ramsey stated, "What we got, 4-1?" followed by silence from the remaining members, and he said, "Okay."
When the February 8 meeting returned to this same item a vote reflected Adams and Vickery in favor of the payment while Steadman reiterated his original vote of nay, Lee Gibbs voted nay and Craig Gray also voted nay.
This resulted in the motion then failing.
The other agenda items which each received a favorable vote included approving the November 2020 Financials; December 2020 Financials; award contract to vendor for the delivery of emergency services equipment through CDBG FAST Grant 7219256 and Order an Election to be held on May 1, 2021 for the purpose of electing (3) Three City Council Members; Place 1, Place 4 and Place 5.
In discussing the financial reports, Gray asked about the city's settlement payment of $79,603 and from what account it was being paid. Amanda Treat, City Secretary, explained that money was being paid out of the city Improvements account.
At the time of the January 25 meeting, there was $215,444.34 in the Improvements account which after the transaction of $79,603 left $135,840.41. Treat stated the only other fund is money set aside for water meters, and Steadman agreed the city need not draw on that money for anything else.
Gray asked about the Rainy Day fund, and Treat stated the money remaining in that fund is for state fees. Vickery explained the city was getting behind on paying the state fees and began just setting the money aside to pay the fees and not incur interest penalties.
After paying the $17,879.14 the city would still owe a total of $125,000 for all of the vehicles to be paid over two years.
Gray asked when the next payments on the other three vehicles are due.
"The next three would be right at $69,000 and I believe they're due in June," said Treat.
Gray stated it looks like June would do them in and Steadman said they're transferring $20,000 every month to make payroll.
The council considered the value of the police cars and discussions suggested they would take a loss on the vehicles if they could sell them.
Chief Linder was not with the police department at the time the city purchased the vehicles, and neither were the majority of the council members. Chief Linder explained his understanding of the equipment in the vehicles was the vehicles themselves were used to finance the equipment.
Mayor Ramsey stated he had reviewed the equipment in the cars and one radar gun was valued at around $5,000.
"Whoever did that, yeah they did a good job on that was fine as long as you ain't paying for it," said Ramsey.
Gray asked if the city is entitled to anything in COVID relief funding that would help. Chief Linder explained there is potentially something the city will be able to apply for.
"The last email I got, we possibly could look at $53,000 and it could only go to their salaries," said Treat.
Although there is a possibility the city can receive some funding to help with police officer salaries, the city is facing several major expenditures.
The city will be considering approval of paying loan(s) no. 66493, 66494, 66492 and 66879 to First National Bank of Wichita Falls for (4) 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe’s Police Fleet during their meeting February 22, 2021.
February 22, 2021 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department has one pallet of water available at the central fire station downtown now while supplies last. One case per household.
February 22, 2021 - Huxley VFD has two pallets of water for distribution today February 22 available at the fire station, for the Huxley Community, starting at 2pm until gone.
Limit of one case per household.
February 22, 2021 - DETEC is currently reporting 6,567 outages remaining. Today, we expect to wrap up all repairs in Newton, Panola, Sabine and San Augustine Counties. Our larger impacted areas of Nacogdoches and Shelby County are estimated to be all restored by this Friday. Please keep in mind that these are estimates, ideally we hope to complete this worker sooner. We thank you for your patience and support as crews have worked as quickly as possible.
Nacogdoches County: 2,749
Newton Co: 1
Panola Co: 167
Sabine Co: 114
San Augustine Co: 215
Shelby Co: 3,321
Over the last week, crews have restored power to approximately 16,500 members. At the peak, DETEC reported over 23,000 outages.
If you are still without power, you may report your outage by:
- Calling our 1-800-392-5986 Outage Reporting line. Please know the telephone number and meter number associated with your account. We encourage you to rely on the automated system and do not select to speak with a representative unless absolutely necessary as you will experience long hold times or incomplete calls due to heavy call volume. With you meter number, you should be able to report your outage quickly. The outage number is available 24 hours, every day.
- Call our local office at 936-229-4000, option 2. Member Service Representatives are available 8 AM – 5 PM if you must speak with someone. Again, due to heavy call volume, you may experience long hold times.
- Report your outage via our Mobile App – DETECmobile. You must already have an online account login to use this feature. If you do not have a login, you will need to go to www.deepeast.com and set this up.
- Report your outage via our website at www.deepeast.com. You will need a online login to report your outage. If you do not have a login, you can create one here. You will need to know all pertinent information for the account holder. If you are accessing our site on a mobile device and do not have a login, please select “Go to Desktop Version” and select Create User ID under the My Account tab.
February 22, 2021 - In response to Texas’ request for a federal disaster declaration related to the recent winter storm, the Office of the Governor announced that the President has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance in 77 counties and for Public Assistance (Emergency Protective Measures Only) in all 254 counties.
The following counties were approved for Individual Assistance:
Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, and Wise Counties.
Individuals and business owners in counties included in the President’s declaration who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
For more information on presidential disaster declarations, including the distinction between Individual and Public Assistance, see FEMA.gov.
In addition, the Office of the Governor and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are encouraging Texans to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. This data is also needed to provide information to FEMA and highlight the need for federal disaster assistance for individuals in all 254 counties, including the ones that have not yet been included in the President’s disaster declaration.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to fill out the Self Reporting Damage Survey. The voluntary survey, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting www.TDEM.texas.gov/warm. (NOTE: Reporting damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.)
February 21, 2021 - In the last 24 hours, crews have restored power to approximately 4,000 members across the service area. As mentioned before, with so many trees and limbs on power lines pulling distribution and service lines down, this type of work simply just takes time. With this, it is very difficult to give estimates of restoration per area. On Wednesday we estimated that this work could take up to 3 weeks. We have had good weather the last two days and more in the forecast, and hope to greatly exceed this timeline. DETEC now has over 300 men on the ground working to restore power as quickly as possible.
As of Sunday at 10 AM, DETEC is currently reporting 10,910 outages remaining.
- Nacogdoches Co: 4,553
- Newton Co: 1
- Panola Co: 193
- Sabine Co: 302
- San Augustine Co: 612
- Shelby Co: 5,249
We continue to hear concern from members of not seeing trucks in their area yet. Please know that crews are working all areas. In order to restore power to your home, crews must first restore power to the transmission lines that feed our substations. After the transmission lines are repaired, we focus on any substation damage. DETEC owns and operates 35 substations. At this time, all transmission and substations are restored. Next we repair the distribution lines. These lines currently have much damage as trees and limbs have fallen from the weight of the ice. While we maintain a 20 foot right-of-way to the best of our ability, our 80-100 foot tall Pine Trees will hit the lines when they fall. It is simply the nature of our beautiful area. Currently we have hundreds of reports of trees and limbs on the distribution lines. The DETEC service area includes over 7,000 miles of distribution lines. After a distribution line is repaired, we can then work on the service line, transformer and fuse to your home. Currently we have thousands of reports of these service lines on the ground. This process to restore power to your home is happening and if you are not seeing a crew in your area, they are still working on the distribution line to get power to your home. We are not making excuses, but no amount of prep work to the lines by your local utility could have been done to prevent damage from this statewide historical weather event. Ice damage and the load issues from the state’s power grid are unrelated issues at this point.
In office, we worked hard yesterday to provide an alternative to reporting your outages. Members may now report their outage by logging into your account on our website or Mobile App. If you do not have an established login, you will need to create an account at www.deepeast.com. You will need to know details pertaining to the account holder. You may also continue to call 1-800-392-5986 to report your outage. You will need to know the telephone number and meter number associated with your account.
February 20, 2021 - Yesterday and overnight, crews have restored power to over 7,000 members across the service area. Above freezing temperatures, accessible roads and more crews have contributed to this progress. Again, restoration is expected to be a slow process due to outages being scattered across our 8 county system vs isolated to specific areas. This coupled with yesterday being the first day we could really make some ground, estimates of restoration for each area are just not available yet. If you have an alternate location with power that you can retreat to, our safest suggestion is to take family and friends up on their hospitality until we can get your power restored. If you are in a serious emergency situation, always call 911. Officials have established 211 if you need to seek necessary resources or a shelter.
Currently DETEC is reporting 15,099 members without power.
- Nacogdoches Co: 5,107
- Newton Co: 2
- Panola Co: 194
- Rusk Co: 1
- Sabine Co: 1220
- San Augustine Co: 1,387
- Shelby Co: 7,188
Several members have expressed concern of not seeing trucks in their area yet. Please know that crews are working all areas. In order to restore power to your home, crews must first restore power to the transmission lines that feed our substations. After the transmission lines are repaired, we focus on any substation damage. DETEC owns and operates 35 substations. At this time, all transmission and substations are restored. Next we repair the distribution lines. These lines currently have much damage as trees and limbs have fallen from the weight of the ice. While we maintain a 20 foot right-of-way to the best of our ability, our 80-100 foot tall Pine Trees will hit the lines when they fall. It is simply the nature of our beautiful area. Currently we have hundreds of reports of trees and limbs on the distribution lines. The DETEC service area includes over 7,000 miles of distribution lines. After a distribution line is repaired, we can then work on the service line, transformer and fuse to your home. Currently we have thousands of reports of these service lines on the ground. This process to restore power to your home is happening and if you are not seeing a crew in your area, they are still working on the distribution line to get power to your home. We are not making excuses, but no amount of prep work to the lines by your local utility could have been done to prevent damage from this statewide historical weather event. Ice damage and the load issues from the state’s power grid are unrelated issues at this point.
In the office, we have been working diligently to resolve phone issues so that we make take your outage. Most members are able to report their outage, but many have reported issues with either receiving busy signals, dropped calls or a message detailing that we are unable to report your outage at this time due to high call volume. Busy signals are a result of all lines being utilized with calls, this is a issue we cannot resolve, please continue calling until you get through. Dropped calls is being investigated and we will continue to work with the telephone network provider to resolve this. Our automated system is designed to take your outage by automation if you correctly enter your telephone number and meter number to the location. We do know that this system was not working properly. As a result, much testing has been done and the system should be working as it should now. If you do not know your account information and you select “no,” the system will attempt to connect you with a live agent. Due to call volume, you may not be connected. Please locate your meter number before calling. This number is located on your bill or you may find it by looking at the meter at your location. The meter number is the six digit number located after DETEC on your meter. If you have had problems in the last few days getting through on the 1-800-392-5986 outage line, please try again. Today, we also have all local Member Service representatives to take your call. We do not have as many local representatives as we do within our contracted call center, so you may experience holds. Our local number is 936-229-4000. This line will be open until 5 PM today. After 5 PM, this line rolls over to 1-800-392-5986. Every day, around the clock, representatives are working to take your call.
February 20, 2021 - The Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard reports 116 active cases on Friday, February 19, 2021.
Of the new cases reported over the past two days, 2 were new confirmed cases and 0 were new probable cases. The dashboard also shows a total of 10 additional recoveries which continues to help lower the number of active cases.
February 18th (2:50pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 860 (2 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 648 (0 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 51
Total Estimated Active Cases - 123
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,334 (3 new)
February 19th (3:25pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 860 (0 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 648 (0 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 51
Total Estimated Active Cases - 116 (Correction)
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,341 (7 new)
February 19, 2021 - The 11th week of vaccine distribution starts February 22, 2021 and Shelby County has one provider on the list. Hope Community Medicine is allocated to receive a total of 200 vaccine doses.
Shelby County, a part of Public Health Region 4/5N, reports 1,107 people have been vaccinated with at least one dose and 635 people are fully vaccinated. Shelby County has an estimated population of 19,449 of people 16 years of age and older. With the 11th week shipment, the county has received 1,200 doses.
Past weekly vaccine allocations for Shelby County:
- Week 8, February 1 - Hope Community Medicine 300 vaccine doses
- Week 4, January 4 - Aurora Concepts, PLLC 100 vaccine doses
- Week 4, January 4 - Hope Community Medicine 100 vaccine doses
- Week 2, December 21 - Aurora Concepts, PLLC 100 vaccine doses
- Week 2, December 21 - Brookshires Pharmacy 300 vaccine doses
- Week 2, December 21 - Hope Community Medicine 100 vaccine doses
CDC continues shipping vaccine for the current week, delayed due to weather
As Texas thaws from this week’s winter storms, COVID-19 vaccine will again be distributed across the state in larger amounts. Texas providers have been allocated 591,920 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government for the week of Feb. 22. The Texas Department of State Health Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship those doses to 563 providers in 230 counties across Texas, including 84,240 doses for large vaccine clinics in Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties supported by the federal government.
The added first doses directed to the federal sites over the next three weeks will allow Texas to allocate additional doses to communities where vaccine supplies have been much more limited, leading to vaccine distribution to the largest number of counties of any week so far.
In addition to the first doses mentioned above, the state is ordering 364,830 doses intended as the second dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago. People who had second dose appointments delayed by winter weather should rest assured knowing that vaccine will be available, and their appointments will be rescheduled. Even if they receive the second dose outside of the recommended six-week time frame, they will get the full protection of the second dose and will not need an additional booster shot.
The federal vaccine tracking system shows more than 100,000 first doses and 300,000 second doses intended for delivery this week still awaiting shipment due to weather conditions around out-of-state warehouses and across the country. Those doses are expected to be delivered in the first half of next week, followed by the vaccine allocated for next week.
Texas providers have administered more than 4.3 million doses of vaccine. More than 3 million people have received at least one dose, and almost 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated.
Texas continues to vaccinate health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. Currently, there is not enough vaccine to supply every provider with vaccine every week.
Per a recent label change, each vial of Pfizer vaccine now contains six doses leading to a minimum order of 1,170. People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine/.
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