Shelby County Today

April 1, 2024 - The Center Police Department confirms a barbershop on the Center square in the 100 block of Shelbyville Street was the scene of a burglary on March 16, 2024, at 9:05am.

The suspects are believed to have gained entry through a back window of the barbershop, owned by Jose Lara, and an undisclosed amount of cash was reported to have been taken.

Center Police Department detectives are still pursuing leads and the investigation remains active.

There has been an influx of burglaries on the square and in a northerly direction from there. The Center Police Department is encouraging business owners, and homeowners, to make certain their facilities are secured and to keep as much valuables, money and things of that nature put up as best as they can.

The use of security cameras is also urged.

April 1, 2024 - The chance for strong to severe storms remains across portions of the Four State Region tonight.

A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued by the National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.

Today and Tonight: Severe weather chances return to the region by this evening, lingering into the overnight hours. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threat, with most of this activity occurring past 11pm. An isolated tornado also cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday through Sunday: No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

Spotter activation may be needed.

March 28, 2024 - On March 22, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the City of Tenaha public water system, PWS #2100002, 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. 

The public water system 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 March 28, 2024. 

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact The City of Tenaha 238 North George Bowers Drive Tenaha, Texas 75974 or call 936-248-3841.

March 22, 2024 - Due to Main Line Break on Tennessee Road/FM947, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Tenaha PWS #2100002 public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., 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. 

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner like this notice. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this 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 The City of Tenaha at 238 North Goerge Bowers Drive Tenaha, Texas 75974 or call 936-248-3841.

March 26, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved a new deputy constable for Precinct 5 during their March 20, 2024 meeting, and held an executive session which involved work at the County Annex building on the Center square.

Following the opening of the meeting, at 9:30am, the meeting was adjourned into executive session at 9:35am.

The commissioners’ court meeting reopened at 10:28am and Allison Harbison, County Judge, referenced Local Government Code 262.024, A contract for the purchase of any of the following items is exempt from the requirement established by Section 262.023 if the commissioners court by order grants the exemption: (3) an item necessary because of unforeseen damage to public property.

However, with no specific description to the public to what this action was in reference, Judge Harbison stated the commissioners would approve an invoice during the meeting from Hagler (Painting and Construction). Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, stated the invoice could be approved as an addition to the next item on the meeting agenda.

Judge Harbison moved, “This is to allow the work to be finished over at the Annex building.” 

The motion was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, and the motion carried.

When the commissioners considered the weekly expenses, Porterfield described two invoices having to do with work performed by Hagler Painting and Construction.

“For addition to the bills to be approved for payment today, we have two invoices, two tickets, I'll just give you the number and amount, ticket number 56972, Mr. Hagler for $37,608.49, dated March 13 and current 56977 for $13,075.09, March the 15th,” said Porterfield. 

Both invoices for March 13 and March 15 combined come to a total of $50,683.58.

Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, stated the second installment on the Master Plan payment for the Historic Courthouse was being issued to HRTC Services in the amount of $22,500, and Commissioner Lout is purchasing a used pickup truck from Ray Jones Chevrolet in the amount of $35,921.33, which he has budgeted through fixed assets.

Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirmed with Blackwell there is one more payment planned to HRTC Services in the future for the same amount mentioned and it would come out of the LATCF (Local Assistance Tribal Consistency Fund).

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve paying the weekly expenses and the motion was seconded by Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, and the motion carried.

The commissioners were to discuss possibly increasing rental cost for election equipment; however Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, asked to table discussion until a future date.

”When we decided, I think it was October 23, we went up to $35 per machine for rental. I said that I'd like to go next year to $50, those machines, just the machine that the ballot goes into it scans the ballot, just that little machine is $6,600,” said Adams. “As you know, I told y’all back in October we could go up to 10% of the cost of the machine. I can’t see us ever charging an entity $600 for that machine.”

Adams said the reason she wanted to table the item is she is charging the entities that rent the machines for the media sticks that retain the records.

“When he sends me the bills for the ballots and all of the other things that I bill the entities for, I’m going to this year bill them for the sticks,” said Adams.

She said she would like to possibly go up to $100 for the next time, and asked that the item be tabled at least until the summer.

A motion by Commissioner Smith to table the agenda item was seconded by Commissioner Lout, and the motion carried.

Constable Josh Tipton presented the commissioners with a new deputy for his office in that of John Pope.

“John Pope, 20 years of experience law enforcement, lives in Timpson, perfect fit. Pretty excited about this one,” said Constable Tipton.

Pope’s start date was set for March 25, 2024.

Commissioner Bellmyer moved to approve deputy constable for Precinct 5 and Commissioner Lout seconded the motion, the motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 10:33am.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Executive Session decision: Allow the work to be finished over at the Annex building

2. Pay weekly expenses.

3. John Pope as new deputy for Constable Pct. 5. 

4. Adjourn at 10:33am.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:

1. Discuss and possibly consider an increase on rental for the Election Equipment.