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April 13, 2024 - Following the flooding, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging those who may have damage to utilize the TDEM Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to submit damages incurred by your Residence or Business property.
Click here and then choose “April 8 – Ongoing Severe Weather Event” link to follow the self-explanatory prompts for reporting.
These links are also featured on the page in English and Spanish and link directly to the iSTAT reporting page for the April 8 event: English/Español
April 12, 2024 - Emergency personnel and local government representatives are constantly preparing for the coming flood. The rise in water level the community is already contending with is a potential danger for anyone Friday, April 12, 2024, as the National Weather Service currently records the Sabine River water level in Logansport to be 32.94 ft as of 4:59pm.
Jessie Griffith, Joaquin Mayor, has reported there are an additional 40 firefighters in the area that have arrived who are trained in water and swift water rescue. He says the Community Center is currently closed until further notice while the location houses the additional fire personnel.
According to Griffith there has been an outpouring of assistance from people in the community offering assistance and in helping provide food for the fire personnel from several restaurants and the local grocery store.
Griffith shared there are a lot of residents in low lying areas likely to flood who have not yet evacuated from their homes. An additional concern is for people that are “sightseeing,” and driving through areas where cones and barricades have been put in place for their safety, yet they bypass the barricades endangering themselves and those who may have to rescue them if they become trapped.
Drivers are asked to please respect any signs, or barricades that may be in place and avoid flood areas.
April 12, 2024 - With projected flooding already impacting Shelby County, Commissioners and their work crews are out combating the elements April 12, 2024.
As water rises in the Joaquin area Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, confirms County Roads 3605, 3620 and 3635 are impassable due to flooding.
More roads are likely to become affected.
Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, has confirmed he has three work crews cutting trees which fell recently due to weather on several roads in his precinct and they have been working on them for the past three days. He currently has one road that has been under water, but its water level has been receding.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, says his crews are working several areas in his precinct adding material back to the worst washouts. All roads remain open.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, confirms two roadways in his precinct affected by flooding. County Road 4760 is already closed due to work already ongoing and County Road 4117, which crosses into Nacogdoches County, is a roadway that will likely be impacted. Commissioner Bellmyer states the Attoyac is expected to crest Saturday or Sunday and is likely to be slow to recede.
National Weather Service Hydrologic graph flood projection.
April 11, 2024 - (Photos Courtesy Commissioner Stevie Smith) - The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of flooding which will impact Shelby County along the Sabine River in Joaquin and south of there over the coming weekend April 12 - April 15. Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, city and county officials are preparing for the impending flood.
According to NWS hydrologic data, on Tuesday the water level on the river was at around 24 feet and as of April 11 at 11am it was 29.72 feet. Projections are that the water level will reach over 35.5 feet by Monday, April 15.
NWS flood warning issued on April 10, 2024 at 10:56pm states the Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas, Louisiana Sabine River at Logansport affecting Panola, Shelby and De Soto Counties.
For the Sabine River, including Logansport major flooding is forecast.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department warns the river is now forecast to rise higher than it did in 2016. Possibly as much as two feet higher, which means areas that didn’t flood then will flood now.
Please plan accordingly, and don’t wait too late to evacuate.
This is a very dangerous situation. Sand and sandbags are available for free at the Joaquin VFD Central Station in downtown Joaquin.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.
For more hydrologic information, click here
The next statement will be issued Thursday evening at 11pm CDT.
Related article:
County Judge Issues Disaster Declaration, Urges Resident Safety
April 11, 2024 (Click here to view the Notice in PDF file) - Notice is hereby given that on April 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Tenaha Independent School District will hold a Regular Meeting at 3:30 pm in the Tenaha Independent School District Board Room, located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha Texas. 75974. The subjects to be discussed are listed on the agenda, which is attached to and made a part of this notice.
Public comment procedures related to this meeting are as follows: Those wishing to address the Board during public comment should fill out a request upon arrival at the meeting prior to 3:30 pm.
3:30pm Regular Meeting Agenda
The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on this meeting notice.
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Consider for Approval the District Quarterly Investment Reports
4. Consider for Approval the following Salary Scales for the 2024-2025 School Year: Teacher Pay Scale, Maintenance Pay Scale, Janitorial and Cafeteria Pay Scale, Aide Pay Scale Grade 1, Aide Pay Scale Grade 2, Aide Pay Scale Grade 3, and Stipend Scale
5. Public Reading of Board Member Training Hours
6. CONSENT AGENDA:
Unless removed from the Consent Agenda, the Board will take action on items identified under the Consent Agenda at one time.
a. Board Meeting Minutes-March 26, 2024
b. Authorize to Advertise for Bids for Fuel, Bread, Milk, Food, & Nonfood for the 2024-2025 School Year
c. District Travel Rates for Employees
d. 2024-2025 TEKS Certification for submission to Texas Education Agency
e. Approve moving the May 13th Regular Board meeting to Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 5:30 pm
7. Executive Session/Closed Session
a. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee including district administration, superintendent, teachers and interviews for that position.
1) Consider contracts for personnel employment
8. Consideration and Action, if any, resulting from Executive Session
9. Adjournment
Notice is hereby given that on April 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Tenaha Independent School District will hold a Regular Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Tenaha Independent School District Board Room, located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha Texas. 75974. The subjects to be discussed are listed on the agenda, which is attached to and made a part of this notice.
Public comment procedures related to this meeting are as follows: Those wishing to address the Board during public comment should fill out a request upon arrival at the meeting prior to 5:00 pm.
5pm Regular Meeting Agenda
The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the same order as shown on this meeting notice.
1. Call to Order
2. Public Comment
3. Executive Session/Closed Session
a. Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee including district administration, superintendent, teachers and interviews for that position.
4. Consideration and Action, if any, resulting from Executive Session
5. Adjournment
The portions of this meeting will be recorded and made available to the public upon request.
If during the course of the meeting covered by the notice, the Board of Trustees should determine that a closed or executive meeting or session of the Board of Trustees is required, then such closed or executive meeting or session as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Title V, Subchapter D, will be held by the Board of Trustees at the date, hour and place given in this Notice, or as soon after the commencement of the meeting covered by this Notice as the Board of Trustees may conveniently meet in such closed or executive meeting or session concerning any and all purposes permitted by the Act, including, but not limited to the following sections and purposes:
Texas Government Code Section:
1. 551.071 An Executive Session will be held for the purpose of having private consultation with the Board's attorney for the purpose of discussing pending or contemplated litigation or settlement offer, or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter;
2. 551.072 Deliberation of the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person;
3. 551.072 Deliberation of a negotiated contract for a prospective gift or donation to the governmental body if deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person;
4. 551.074 Deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public office or employee; or to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee;
5. 551.076 Deliberate the deployment, or specific occasions for implementation, of security personnel or devices;
6. 551.082 Deliberate a case involving discipline of a public school child or complaint or charge brought against an employee of the School District by another employee and the complaint or charge directly results in a need for a hearing;
7. 551.0821 Deliberate a matter regarding a student or students where personally identifiable information about students will necessarily be revealed by the deliberation;
8. 551.083 Deliberate the standards, guidelines, terms or conditions the board will follow, or instruct its representatives to follow, in a consultation with a representative of an employee group;
9. 551.084 Exclusion of a witness from a hearing.
Texas Education Code Section:
39.030 Discussion or adoption of individual assessment instruments or assessment instrument items and matters involving the security of the instruments in their preparation, administration and grading.
Should any final action, final decision, or final vote be required in the opinion of the School District with regard to any matter considered in such closed or executive meeting or session, then the final action, final decision, or final vote shall be either:
(a) In the open meeting covered by the Notice upon the reconvening of the public meeting; or
(b) At a subsequent public meeting of the School District upon notice thereof, as the School District shall determine.
CERTIFICATE AS TO POSTING OF NOTICE:
On the 11th day of April, 2024, at 9 o'clock a.m., this Notice was posted on the front door of the Tenaha ISD Administration Building located at 185 Tiger Drive, Tenaha TX 75974.
Don Fallin, Superintendent
April 10, 2024 - (Disaster Declaration) - To Shelby County Residents:
As the Emergency Management Director and County Judge for Shelby County, I am working closely with the County Emergency Management Coordinator, Luciana Barr. I have issued a Declaration of Disaster for the storms and flooding issues currently happening within Shelby County and issued a letter to the Governor and TDEM regarding these dangerous weather events. She and I are monitoring all information as it comes in. We are working with our local and state officials to assist Shelby County Residents as this event occurs.
Extreme flooding in low-lying areas is expected. I ask everyone to be vigilant. If you live near the Sabine River, Toledo Bend Reservoir, or any body of water that you fear will flood; I urge you to voluntarily evacuate to higher ground. Be sure and take your important papers and identification, your medications and/or medical equipment, valuables, and pets.
We will have updates and more information tomorrow.
Thank you and please be safe.
Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge
April 10, 2024 - Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of four individuals linked to a theft ring in Shelby County.
Ricardo Rodriguez
Armando Huerta
Jonathan Vicente
Marlana Poore
Investigators and deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department responded to a call in the 7000 block of [State] Highway 7 West on April 8, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival at the residence, investigators recognized the property as a highly trafficked area for drugs and stolen property. By means of a search warrant, SCSO investigators and deputies spent over 34 hours on the grounds, and recovered over $150,000 in stolen property.
Items recovered include: skid steer stolen out of Houston; bumper pull RV stolen out of Beaumont; commercial power washer on 16-foot trailer stolen out of Center; two trucks stolen out of Nacogdoches; car hauler trailer stolen from U-Haul; and two portable toilets stolen out of Carthage. Other items include: three welding machines, numerous chainsaws, generators, thousands of dollars worth of tools, five AR rifles, and multiple other firearms. Multiple trucks with altered VINs were also located and removed from the property. Center Police Department was able to identify other items stolen out of the city. Narcotics were also recovered from the residence.
Individuals arrested include:
• Ricardo Rodriguez, 33, of Center: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (F-1); Possession of a Controlled Substance (F-2)
• Armando Huerta, 25, of Center: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (F-1); Possession of a Controlled Substance (F-2)
• Jonathan Vicente, 22, of Center: Violation of Bond/Protective Order
• Marlana Poole, 24, of Tenaha: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (F-1); Possession of a Controlled Substance (F-2); Violation of Parole OC: Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F-1)
The SCSO would like to thank the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Jason Burch of Hughes Wrecker for their support during this time.
April 10, 2024 - At 2:51pm, the National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA states a Wind Advisory remains in effect from 7pm this evening to 7pm Thursday. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected in portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, and east and northeast Texas.
From 7pm this evening to 7pm Thursday, gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Be advised the number of trees coming down recently has increased with the most recent freezes and droughts over the past several years contributing to the possibly of falling trees. Yesterday’s storm had the many of the Volunteer Fire Departments and the County’s Road and Bridge crews out assisting with removing trees off the roadways.
Pictured are (from left): Roscoe McSwain, Jimmy Lout, Allison Harbison, Lizzet Mendoza, Emma Skinner, Stevie Smith, and Tom Bellmyer.
April 10, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners’ Court issued a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness month during their meeting held April 3, 2024,
Family Crisis Center of East Texas had two representatives present for the meeting and they were Lizzet Mendoza, legal advocate for Shelby County, and Emma Skinner, Sexual Assault Advocate for Angelina County. Mendoza shared the agency serves survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
County Judge Allison Harbison read aloud the Sexual Assault Awareness month proclamation as follows:
“Whereas, Sexual Assault is a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across our nation, and
“Whereas rape and sexual assault and sexual harassment harm our communities, and every one of us has a role in protecting the people we love the most.
“And whereas, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted and on average only 33 out of 1,000 cases of sexual assault end up with a conviction
“And whereas young people experience disproportionately higher rates of sexual violence between the ages of 12 to 17 with college campus reports of one in five women and one in 16 men that are
sexually assaulted during their time in school
“And whereas we acknowledge the tireless work of advocates, allies, and community leaders who are committed to ending sexual violence and providing support to survivors
“And whereas the theme of the 2024 campaign is start by believing and calls on individuals to validate and honor the survivor's experience when it is shared and therefore it is proclaimed that the Shelby County Commissioner's Court joins the nation in recognizing April as sexual assault awareness month and commits to promoting awareness of sexual violence, supporting survivors and working towards the prevention of sexual assault in our community.”
Judge Harbison asked the representatives if they had any statistics to reflect the status of cases in Shelby County.
“Here in the last two months the number of clients from Shelby County who have been coming in for services have increased, and you know that just means of course domestic violence sexual assault continues to happen in the county,” said Mendoza. “We're just getting more clients and connecting them with resources to hopefully prevent it from happening in the future, and that's all thanks to all of you and law enforcement and our partnering agencies.”
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to sign and declare the proclamation and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Jimmy Lout. The motion carried.
When the commissioners meeting were set to open sealed bids for Janitorial Services, Judge Harbison stated they have received no bids.
An individual who was providing janitorial service on a part-time basis until someone was hired has already quit before the position could be filled, and Judge Harbison explained departments would need to continue to pitch in and clean in their areas.
The discussion continued on what options might be available and that a lot of services clean at night, which would not be an option for the courthouse due to the sensitive nature of legal and financial documents stored there.
A motion carried to table the janitorial services issue until the next meeting.
The commissioners had on their agenda to possibly approve the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to have its duct system assessed; however, it had already been performed before they had the opportunity to consider moving forward with the assessment.
“We got a really good report,” said Judge Harbison. “We just need to do some cleaning of the duct system and everything.”
Judge Harbison read a synopsis of what was found of the system and nothing major was reported in the findings.
“We have mold growing in the duct system, not affecting the air quality. Nothing jumps out of being a problem other than visual mold,” said Harbison. “The AC contractor is to clean the air ducts and replace the ceiling tiles that were damaged by moisture.”
Judge Harbison said the consensus of opinion was that the moisture may have generated when the HVAC system was down during the winter, and as a result there was nothing major like mold spores to be concerned over. She said she spoke with the HVAC company that works on the jail systems and someone to clean the ducting was being located.
Not only was the assessment already completed, but a bill was already presented to the court.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer confirmed the assessment was only for the office area, and Judge Harbison said she would insist that the entire system including office and jail be cleaned. Not just the office area.
With the work to be considered already having been done, the court deemed it a discussion item only.
Judge Harbison said she has spoken with Chief Ruth Gonzales about finding someone to clean the ducts and that she would make sure she is aware the cleaning will be for the entire ducting.
Paxton Water Supply Corporation requested Shelby County sponsor a 2025/2026 Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) application through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“We did this with Precinct 4 as a county and City of Timpson on the Rose Hill Road,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison told the court an email recently was received informing that a project previously submitted by the county almost two years ago was being considered.
“No entity can apply for these grants without the approval from the entity they’re in, which Paxton would be in Shelby County,” said Judge Harbison. “If this water system was in the city it would have to go through the city council so they can't just go out and do it without us being partners with them.”
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, questioned if these grants are fully funded up front, or if they are reimbursable grants, which would require the county to pay for a project and then be reimbursed at a later date.
Discussion continued further and it was decided to table the project for further clarification of several questions.
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to table the item until the next meeting, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lout. The motion carried.
The commissioners were presented with a quote for repair of plumbing issues in the County Clerk’s office.
Commissioner McSwain moved to approve the quote of $1,853 for the repairs to be performed by McWilliams and Sons Inc, to be taken out of the Courthouse Repairs fund, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The final agenda item for the meeting was to discuss radio communications. Instead, Judge Harbison suggested a workshop in the near future for the commissioners to help decide what course of action needs to be taken.
She suggested several entities who would be useful for the workshop.
Earlier in the meeting during public comment, Richard Lundie addressed the court regarding the county radio towers involving emergency personnel and he suggested they seek the Army Corps of Engineers to assess the area and help the county determine what radio equipment is needed to make the system work.
He asked if the county has reached out to them because they work with FEMA and Homeland Security and could help save some expense for the county.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:14am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Proclamation declaring April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month”. 3. Quote of $1,853.00 from McWilliams and Sons Inc. for repair of plumbing issues at the County Clerk’s office building and move forward with the project. To be paid for out of Courthouse Repairs fund. 4. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Discussion and possible approval of the request from Paxton Water Supply Corporation for Shelby County to sponsor a 2025/2026 Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) application through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
April 9, 2024 - Travelers on U.S. Highway 96 North and in the northern end of Shelby County should use extreme caution during the storm, and to even stay off the roads until the storm has cleared, as there are several reports of trees down in the roadway.
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