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February 15, 2026 - (Update): As of 9am the gas leak was stopped and the roadway was re-opened to traffic.
Center Police Department officers commenced with continuing their investigation of a single-vehicle crash that initially caused the gas line to rupture.
Hurst Street between Crawford Street and Nacogdoches Street in Center is shut down due to a major gas leak resulting from a vehicle crash at 6am Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Emergency responders are in scene. CenterPoint Energy arrived at 7:31am and are awaiting another crew to address the leak.
Driver’s are encouraged to take alternate routes until the roadway is re-opened.
February 14, 2026 - Tornado Watch 5 remains valid until 9pm CST this evening for the following areas in Louisiana this watch includes four parishes in northwest Louisiana: Bossier, Caddo, De Soto, Sabine.
In Texas this watch includes 13 counties in northeast Texas: Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, smith, Upshur.
This includes the cities of Big Sandy, Bossier City, Carthage, Center, Gilmer, Hemphill, Henderson, Jacksonville, Jefferson, Logansport, Longview, Lufkin, Mansfield, Many, Marshall, Nacogdoches, Pineland, Pleasant Hill, Rusk, San Augustine, Shreveport, Stonewall, Tyler, and Zwolle.
February 13, 2026 - According to the National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA, expect a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms for Valentine's Day across portions of the Four State Region for Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning. Damaging winds, small hail, and isolated tornadoes are the main threats through the afternoon for portions of East Texas, Northern and Central Lousiana, and Southwest Arkansas. Note that the Tornado Risk is higher south of I-20.
Showers and thunderstorms will move into the region through the day Saturday into Saturday night, and will bring a risk for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The greatest risk will be over areas along and north of the I-20 corridor across North LA and Southwest AR.
The latest timing potential for Deep East Texas is 3pm to 9pm for the onset of strong to severe thunderstorms as they move eastward through the region on Saturday.
February 11, 2026 - Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the governing body of the above-named City will be held on the 17th day of February, 2026 at 5:30pm at Timpson City Hall, 456 Jacob Street, Timpson, Texas, at which time the following subjects will be considered, to-wit:
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge: United States Pledge, Texas Pledge
4. Council Items: Reports by the members of the City Council on matters not on the agenda will be made at this time. A total, not to exceed 10 minutes will be devoted to these reports.
5. Presentations & Recognitions/ Chamber of Commerce notices:
6. Citizens Input: This time is provided for members of the public to address the City Council on items that appear within the Consent and Action Items or a matter not listed on the agenda. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes. A Citizens Input Form may be filled out and filed with the City Secretary prior to the meeting.
Department/Committee Reports:
Public Works Report:
City Secretary:
IMPORTANT 2026 ELECTION DATES: Early Voting: April 20 – April 28, 2026 (No early voting on April 21 due to San Jacinto Day and it being a state holiday). Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026
7. Consent Agenda: Items included under the Consent Agenda require little or no deliberation by the Council. Approval of the Consent Agenda authorizes the City Secretary to proceed with the conclusion of each item as reflected in the Minutes of this meeting.
A. Consider approval of the Minutes from the Regular Meeting held January 20, 2026
B. Consider approval of Financial Statements for the months of January, 2026
C. Consider approval of Accounts Payable for the month of February, 2026
D. Consider approval of payment to Chandler Tree Service in the amount of $1,100 to trim low hanging limbs and remove debris.
E. Consider approval of payment to Texas Electric Cooperatives in the amount of $24,963.50 for electric materials and supplies.
9. Discuss and take action: Discuss and consider approval of a Mother’s Day Market on the square May 1st, 4:00pm – 8:00pm with vendors and food trucks.
10. Discuss and take action: Discuss and consider renewing the city lawncare contract with Justin Yoder, at the rate of $1,825/mo or go out for bids. The current contract is up in April and he is willing to sign another year contract at $1,825/mo. This expense is split between the Chamber ($100), EDC ($500) and General ($1,225).
11. Discuss and take action: Discuss and consider approval for Mall Energy quote to replace LED screen on generator at TVFD, in the amount of $2,141.00
12. Discuss and take action: Discuss and consider approval to withdraw TVFD coverage from the city’s TMLIRP policy and accept the proposal from Winstar Insurance Group for vehicle and property insurance.
13. Discuss and take action: Discuss and consider approval to solicit bids for the 2005 John Deere tractor and 1992 Case Backhoe, with motion to include timeline for bid submission.
14. Discuss and take action: Pursuant to the Special Meeting held Feb 12, 2026, discuss and possibly take action; solicit bids on debris clean up plan for parks, cemetery and residential right of ways.
15. Adjourn.
The Council reserves the right to retire into executive session concerning any of the items listed on this agenda whenever it is considered necessary and is legally justified under the Open Meetings Act.
This facility is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair parking is available. Requests for accommodations or interpretive services must be made 48 hours prior to this meeting. Please contact the City Secretary at 254-2421 for further information or needed assistance. This agenda is posted as required under Government Code Section 551.041. For more information or for a copy of the open meetings act, please contact the Attorney General of Texas at 1-800-252-8011 or the City Secretary at 936-254-2421.
January 15, 2026 - The May Uniform Election Day for local non-county political subdivisions such as cities and schools is Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Upcoming calendar dates to note are listed below for candidates and voters.
Candidates:
- Wednesday, January 14 - First day to file for a place on the general election ballot.
- Friday, February 13 - Last day to file for a place on the general election ballot (5pm).
- Tuesday, February 17 - Last day to file a declaration of write-in candidacy.
Voters:
- Monday, April 2 - The last day to register to vote in the cities and schools elections. Visit votetexas.gov to register and for more information.
- Monday, April 20 - First day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance.
- Tuesday, April 28 - Last day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance.
- Saturday, May 2 - Election Day
Ballot by Mail
- First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) is Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) is Monday, April 20, 2026.
- More information about Voting by Mail: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/index.html
- More information and how to file an Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM): https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/application-for-ballot-by-mail.html
February 9, 2026 - A two-vehicle crash on SH 7 / Louisiana Street just outside of Center left both lanes of the highway blocked for morning traffic on Monday, February 9, 2026.
The Center Police Department was dispatched to 1350 Louisiana Street at 9:12am and after arriving on scene the assistance of the Center Fire Department was requested for traffic control. The fire fighters also assisted ambulance personnel.
According to the Center Police Department, a gray Ford Transit van was traveling on Louisiana Street when a white 2018 Silverado Z71 Truck exiting off of Middleton Street entered its pathway. The van struck the driver's side of the truck at the rear passenger door and bed with its front. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway blocking both lanes of traffic. Hughes Wrecker towed the truck and Hopkins Wrecker towed the van from the crash.
The driver of the van, Cheryl Ard, 54 of Houston, was transported from the scene by ambulance. The driver of the truck, Ronnie Jurney, 67 of Logansport, was transported by private vehicle. Jurney was cited for failure to yield right-of-way.
February 9, 2026 - County Road 4293 was the scene of a house fire on January 29, 2026.
Center Fire Department firefighters responded to the location with two trucks in the 7000 block of CR 4293 at around 10:35am, and found a mobile home on the Richards property to be fully involved in the fire.
Firefighters worked to put down the fire which also had reached a 2017 Jeep Wrangler and a 2014 Chevrolet 2500.
The house was unable to be saved and was a total loss, as well as the Chevrolet. The Wrangler was also damaged by the fire, but was prevented from being overtaken by fire.
No indication of cause was able to be determined at the time of the fire.
The firefighters returned to service at 12-noon.
February 9, 2026 - Center Police Department investigated a two-vehicle crash on Riggs Street on February 2, 2026.
When officers arrived at around 4:45pm, they found a delivery truck and a passenger car in the roadway.
According to the Center Police Department, a white 2022 Ford truck driven by Kenneth Trim, 35, of Louisiana was traveling south on Riggs Street when Trim advised he was possibly too much over into the oncoming traffic side on a non-divided street. This caused the Ford to strike the left front driver’s side quarter panel of a white 2025 Honda Accord driven by Lacendra Bates, 38, of Center making them both un-driveable.
Both vehicles were disabled as a result of the collision and were towed from the scene.
Bates was transported to the Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.
No citations were reported to have been issued.
The crash was investigated by Center Police Officer Luis Acuna assisted by Sgt. Brian Wright.
February 9, 2026 - TxDOT Traffic Alert - Timpson
TxDOT crews will mill and inlay Bear Drive/SS 470 on Monday, Feb. 9 and on US 59 north of Bear Drive on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Use caution in the area and give workers and equipment extra room.
Projected burn area: Burning Block B Only
February 9, 2026 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today, February 9, 2026. Ignition is aerial with a start time of 11am for Boles Field area in Shelby County. Estimated completion time is 6pm.
Forest and unit is Sabine National Forest, Boles Field Northeast, Block B, Compartments 13 and 14, 2035 Acres.
Winds are out of the south and drift smoke may be noticeable in Huxley. Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
For more information, contact the Angelina Sabine Ranger District at (936) 897-1068 or (409) 625-1940.
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker: Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
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