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November 29, 2024 - Funeral services for Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, were held Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home.
Lout was elected to the office of Commissioner Precinct 2 in 2002 and his term began in 2003, with County Judge Floyd A. "Dock" Watson. Following Watson, he then served with County Judge John Tomlin, County Judge Rick Campbell and County Judge Allison Harbison.
During his time as Commissioner Precinct 2, Lout has been very active in the community, serving regularly during commissioner board meetings governing the county and working with his crew on projects in his precinct.
Click here for Commissioner Lout's obituary.
November 28, 2024 - Richardson Street in Joaquin is the site of an alleged illegal dumping incident and authorities are seeking details on those responsible.
According to Joaquin Mayor Jessie Griffith, used cooking grease was discovered on November 27, 2024, and authorities with TCEQ were contacted.
Mayor Griffith reports, a cleanup operation is ongoing and is expected to take days to complete.
Any leads on who is responsible for this illegal dumping are appreciated. Mayor Griffith says they would really like some help from anyone in the community in finding out who is responsible.
The EPA is also involved, and the cleanup operation is under the direction of a HAZMAT crew.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, along with TCEQ, and anyone with information is asked to contact the city of Joaquin, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office or TCEQ.
November 26, 2024 - To honor and recognize the 22 years of dedication and service to Precinct 2 and Shelby County by Commissioner Jimmy Lout, the Shelby County Offices will close at noon on Wednesday, November 27th. Mr. Lout’s service will be held at Watson and Sons Funeral home on Wednesday at 2pm with visitation beginning at noon.
Mr. Lout or ‘Jimmy’ as everyone in the Courthouse called him will be remembered for his love of Shelby County and its citizens. You will never meet a more down-to-earth man, one who loved his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren, they were his pride and joy. During this Thanksgiving Holiday Season, please remember to be thankful and keep Commissioner Lout’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
The courthouse will also be closed November 28-December 1 and will reopen for business on Monday, December 2 at 8am.
November 26, 2024 - County Road 2110 will be closed starting Monday, December 2, 2024 due to culvert repair. Work will take place on the SH 87 S side. The road will be re-opened on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Please use FM 2975 to access County Road 2110.
November 26, 2024 - The City of Center Public Water System, PWS #2100001, will be conducting water system maintenance beginning January 1, 2025, and lasting until January 31, 2025. The system will be switching to free chlorine as its main disinfection.
This maintenance which is not a requirement, but is the recommended course of action set by the TCEQ/EPA for the accumulation of disinfection byproducts.
This is a routine maintenance procedure performed to help reduce unstable water conditions in our system and insure the highest quality of water being delivered to our customers.
During this maintenance period you may notice an odor or slight discoloration, but the safety of the water will not be affected. City maintenance crews and the Fire Department will also be aggressively flushing hydrants throughout the City’s distribution system.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 936-598-5241.
November 25, 2024 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is stepping up enforcement for Thanksgiving to ensure Texans have a safe holiday. Texas Highway Patrol (THP) Troopers will increase enforcement efforts on the roads from Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1. Troopers will be looking for people not wearing seat belts, driving while intoxicated, speeding and failing to follow the Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.
“With Thanksgiving around the corner, we remind everyone to stay vigilant on the roads,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “There can be countless distractions this time of year, but your safety and the safety of others is what matters most. Take your time, avoid distractions and let’s ensure everyone arrives to their destination this holiday season.”
Each year, DPS participates in the nationwide Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) initiative for the Thanksgiving holiday. During the 2023 Thanksgiving enforcement effort a total of 41,093 warnings and citations were issued, including 11,525 for speeding; 1,310 for driving without insurance; and 596 for seat belt and child seat violations. Last year’s enforcement efforts also resulted in 54 felony arrests, 36 DWI arrests and 18 fugitive arrests.
DPS offers the following safety tips for the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond:
- Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol. Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2024, there have been more than 9,284 Move Over, Slow Down violations.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones. Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
- On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
- Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
- If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
- Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
- Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas
DPS would also like to remind Texans about the iWatchTexas program, a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity within the community to help prevent dangerous attacks. It’s especially important to be vigilant as people gather for parades, festivals and other community events. Tips can be reported via the website, the free iWatch iOS or Android mobile app or by calling 844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. For information on how to use iWatchTexas, you can view this how-to video.
Remember, iWatchTexas is not for emergencies. If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
From left: (Seated) Silver Motley, Luke Motley III, (standing) Dr. Brian Morris, Vicky Hudson, Meredith Motley Morris, Luke Motley IV, Monica Motley VanSlate, Shante' McCollister, Fred Wulf, Ashley McCollister, Lisa McAdams, Jerry Pinkston, David Chadwick, and Deuce Wulf.
November 22, 2024 - Luke Motley, III and his wife, Silver Motley presented a total of $15,000 in checks to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Foundation on Thursday, November 21, 2024. A presentation was made special with everyone coming together inside the former classroom of Silver Motley which is located inside what is now Roughrider Academy.
Luke Motley III welcomed everyone, “I appreciate so much for y’all attending this presentation. It’s a donation to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Fund to fund two scholarships. One in the name of Mrs. Silver Bell Motley and one in the name of Luke Motley III and that’s me.”
Motley shared how this donation started many years ago, “I was at the scholarship awards program and I happened to mention to my good friend Fred Wulf that I ought to give a scholarship. Well, that’s all I had to say.” He then told about letting Wulf know he was ready and when and where he wanted to present the scholarship money, “We are going to do it on Thursday at 4 o’clock in Silver Bell’s old classroom, for those that don’t know, Silver taught in this room for many, many, many years. And many of her students work in Center, Texas and Shelby County right now and they remember her. So, we definitely want to thank her for her scholarship.”
After speaking he presented Fred Wulf with two checks, each for $7,500, “We are donating $15,000 to the Catherine Pinkston Scholarship Fund.”
Visit roughridersholarship.org if you would like to contribute to the Catherine Pinkston Roughrider Scholarship Foundation.
Luke and Silver Motley, III Family
From left: (front) Silver Motley, Luke Motley III, (back) son-in-law Dr. Brian Morris, daughter Meredith Morris, son Luke Motley IV, and daughter Monica VanSlate.
Roughrider Scholarship Foundation Mission
The Roughrider Scholarship Foundation (RSF) was created to assist graduates of Center High School (CHS) continue their education in college or trade school of their choice. Their efforts are dedicated to providing a scholarship to EVERY CHS graduating senior who applies. Graduates deserve an opportunity to succeed and the foundation helps them take the next step. Another goal is developing strong relations with the alumni associations and providing a mechanism to give back to their community.
The RSF is completely donor supported by individuals, community, and civic minded groups. Donations of any amount or kind (i.e., land, stock, guns or automobiles) can be made to the Foundation which is managed by a capable group of Board Members.
The RSF is a Charitable Organization under the IRS Tax Code 501(c) (3) making contributions fully tax deductible.
November 21, 2024 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Paxton public water system, 2100012, to issue a Boil Water Notice on November 19, 2024, to inform customers, individuals, or employees that due to a line-break 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 November 21, 2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
November 19, 2024 - Due to line-break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Paxton public water system 2100012 to notify customers in the Hanson Switch area 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 similar to 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 Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
November 19, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners received an update on the Shelby County Jail Non-compliance during their meeting held Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
County Judge Allison Harbison reported on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) meeting for which several Shelby County officials were in attendance. Judge Harbison said she thought it was a very good meeting.
Tiffany Ryals, Jail Administrator, updated the court on some of the issues being addressed to bring the jail up to compliance.
"We've been working hard on, we were out of compliance with our plumbing a lot of our electrical, stuff like that. Chief [Chad Hooper] and I spent yesterday from about 8:15 in the morning till 6 o'clock last night working on just plumbing," said Ryals. "We only got two tanks left, that's it. We're just waiting on the parts. We tried Panola County, they don't have the part they have a different diaphragm that we have to have. So we're going to try that because McWilliams Plumbing can't get in for three weeks."
She shared that an electrician is currently working at the jail, and one thing she specifically described them working on is conduit for live wires being installed for TVs.
"All of our medical files back into compliance, inmate files back into compliance. Everything is completed as far as that part goes, except for two pieces of plumbing and our two TVs. Which should be done today or tomorrow, and then we'll be ready for another inspection pass," said Ryals.
Judge Harbison stated a request was made of the TCJS for the jail to be re-assessed. Commissioner Roscoe McSwain inquired about the lighting at the jail.
"The lighting has not been repaired, everything with the exception of lighting, but we have a plan in motion with the lights, we're working with 4C and the judge has been in contact with 4C. So as long as we have a plan of action on that, we're going to be good there," said Chief Hooper. "We fixed every light that we could, but as far as replacement of the whole project, that's not been done. But everything else, every annual bi-annual inspection, every log, every check, every cell."
Chief Hooper said they were expecting to have already heard from the inspector; however, he is on the road during the week of the meeting and a call is expected anytime and then he should arrive.
"I think the jail is probably, after yesterday, in the best shape it's been in for some time," said Chief Hooper.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer asked about some other issues that were being looked at and Chief Hooper described the process of working on the lighting which is still in progress and an issue with a toilet.
"We appreciate y 'all getting everything back in order in such a timely manner," said Judge Harbison.
"I really felt like the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Department was well represented for Shelby County. I thought y'all did a great job in answering the questions, presented yourselves well and and I was really happy when we came away from there at the response and the way that you were prepared," said Bellmyer.
Chief Hooper commented that it was a shame that some of the frontline jailers were not there to witness the process and take in the experience.
"It's a shame that our frontline officers can't see that, it's not fair to them that the county judge and the chief and the jail administrator and all of us have to go up there and witness that and deal with the little bit of stress that puts on you and those things, when really they're the ones that need to witness that, not you and you and us. Our frontline guys need to understand that it's business," said Chief Hooper.
Commissioner Bellmyer stated he was pleased with the presentation and the way the Sheriff's Department represented Shelby County in Austin. He thought they did a great job.
The commissioners canvassed the votes of the November 5, 2024 election and as they reviewed the numbers, Judge Harbison stated out of 16,415 registered voters in Shelby County there was a turnout of 9,999.
A motion to approve canvassing the ballots carried with a motion first by Commissioner McSwain, and a second by Commissioner Stevie Smith.
As TikTok has become a point of focus since December 7, 2022 when Governor Greg Abbott banned the application from all state owned and state issued devices due to the Chinese Community Party's ability to use the application for surveilling Texans, local governments throughout the state are now taking action resulting from Senate Bill 1893 in reference to "covered applications."
John Price, Shelby County Attorney, put together a resolution for the commissioners to consider adopting in relation to applications prohibited on governmental computers and mobile devices pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1893.
"That policy puts us in compliance with what has been called Senate Bill 1893. It's been enacted as part of the government code section 620. It pertains to foreign governments or foreign individuals obtaining or submitting information through devices that are owned or operated by county, state, federal employees," said Price.
Senate Bill 1893, Chapter 620, specifically defines "Covered Applications" as meaning: the social media service TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited, or a social media application or service specified by the governor under Sec. 620.004.
"The policy which I drafted is kind of a proposed policy that came from the DPS and the Department of Information Resources which the Bill requires to come up with a policy," said Price. "I've had to adapt it to fit the county. I think it certainly complies and puts us in compliance with the Senate Bill, and it also is totally compatible with existing policy in my judgment."
Commissioner McSwain moved to adopt the policy, Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion and it carried.
"I don't TikTok, I don't Tweet, I barely Facebook once a week," said Judge Harbison.
During the meeting held November 6, 2024, bids were opened for road materials and all were approved. Judge Harbison explained that one bid that was submitted arrived at the courthouse on time, but it didn't make it to her office before the meeting.
The bid envelope was received by the tax office at the courthouse, and Judge Harbison deferred to County Attorney Price for his determination on the matter.
Price confirmed the envelope for the bid was timely postmarked and sent in and he felt that should be considered.
Judge Harbison opened the envelope from Rodney Dean out of Joaquin. Commissioner Smith moved to accept the bids with the others accepted in the previous meeting, and a second was heard by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of the October 9, 2024 Regular Meeting; October 16, 2024 Special Meeting; October 23, 2024 Special Meeting; October 31, 2024 Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers report. 4. Canvass votes for the November 5th General Election. 5. Resolution adopting a Technology Policy for applications prohibited on governmental computers and mobile devices pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1893. 6. Bid proposal on road materials that was inadvertently placed in the mailbox of the Tax Office instead of the Commissioners’ mailbox. 7. Adjourn.
November 18, 2024 - Tornado Watch 711 is in effect until 8pm CST November 18, 2024, for the following locations Texas counties included are Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, and Tyler.
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