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March 7, 2023 - Greg Grant will be conducting controlled burns on three different pine plantings in Arcadia this week. Winds will be out of the south during the burns. In addition to creating scenic, open, park-like pine forests and promoting native grasses and wildflowers, regular prescribed fire reduces fuel loads, decreasing the chance of catastrophic wildfires during the summer; controls underbrush, diseases, and insects; and promotes wildlife habitat for deer, turkey, quail, pollinators, and declining pine savanna and grassland songbirds. For more information on prescribed fire, visit the websites for the Texas A&M Forest Service and The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
March 6, 2023 - The month of February 2023 had 11 days of rain for a total rain fall of 3.52 inches and had 4 days of freezing temperatures.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 26.2 on February 18
Hottest temperature - 88.3 on February 21
Number of days with rain - 11 days
Total rain fall for the month - 3.52 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 9.84 inches
Freezing temperatures - 4 days
02/01/2023 - Low of 34.2, High of 36.7, Rain 1.11
02/02/2023 - Low of 34.9, High of 39.6, Rain 1.51
02/03/2023 - Low of 33.3, High of 55.8, Rain 0.01
02/04/2023 - Low of 28.4, High of 61.2
02/05/2023 - Low of 37.8, High of 71.6
02/06/2023 - Low of 47.8, High of 72.5
02/07/2023 - Low of 51.1, High of 72.9
02/08/2023 - Low of 41.9, High of 78.4, Rain 0.08
02/09/2023 - Low of 37.0, High of 70.3
02/10/2023 - Low of 39.6, High of 58.3, Rain 0.02
02/11/2023 - Low of 37.0, High of 48.7, Rain 0.06
02/12/2023 - Low of 31.5, High of 66.6
02/13/2023 - Low of 37.2, High of 72.0
02/14/2023 - Low of 56.3, High of 73.8, Rain 0.34
02/15/2023 - Low of 54.7, High of 76.6, Rain 0.01
02/16/2023 - Low of 40.1, High of 71.6, Rain 0.15
02/17/2023 - Low of 30.2, High of 50.9
02/18/2023 - Low of 26.2, High of 55.8
02/19/2023 - Low of 43.3, High of 70.3
02/20/2023 - Low of 59.7, High of 81.9
02/21/2023 - Low of 66.0, High of 88.3
02/22/2023 - Low of 67.8, High of 77.7, Rain 0.22
02/23/2023 - Low of 66.6, High of 83.8
02/24/2023 - Low of 55.8, High of 71.1
02/25/2023 - Low of 53.6, High of 66.6
02/26/2023 - Low of 56.8, High of 82.0
02/27/2023 - Low of 49.5, High of 81.3, Rain 0.01
02/28/2023 - Low of 43.5, High of 84.6
March 6, 2023 - The week of February 26th through March 4th added 5 more medical calls to the record for Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Tuesday at 7:35pm a call was received for a female having trouble breathing on County Road 3598. The JVFD EMR team responded to provide oxygen with an assist from DeSoto Fire District 1. The patient was later transported by Allegiance EMS to an emergency room.
Around an hour later at 8:24pm another call came in for an elderly Covid-positive patient having trouble breathing at a residence on Highway 7 East. The EMR team donned proper protective equipment and provided medical assistance to the patient until Allegiance EMS could arrive for transport.
Wednesday morning the JVFD would be called to a DOA at a residence on County Road 3199. Members of the Department assisted funeral home personnel remove the deceased person from the home with help from Precinct 3 Constable Roy Cheatwood.
Later in the day at 3:51pm a call would come in for a lift assist at a home on County Road 3590. Members of the Department helped the elderly patient off of the floor and back to their chair.
The final call for the week came in on Thursday at 8:33am for another fall patient on County Road 3818. The patient was also reported to be “mentally not himself” so he was checked out by Allegiance EMS once he was off the floor.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
March 3, 2023 - On February 28, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 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 3, 2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 28, 2023 - Due to a loss of pressure from a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water February 28, 2023 on 96 from XTO North and from 417 to FM 2140 (anyone without water) 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 Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
March 3, 2023 - Following the storm which entered Shelby County March 2, 2023, 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.
The following link and QR code will take you to a page with instructional video on what procedures to follow in reporting: Individual State of Texas Assesment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Surveys Page
These links are also featured on the page in English and Spanish and link directly to the iSTAT reporting page for the March 2 event: English/Español
Last Map Update: Thu, Mar. 2, 2023 at 11:10:28 pm CST
March 2, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for at 11:10pm CST, Thursday, March 2, 2023 for Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas... Northern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas... and Northwestern Shelby County in eastern Texas... until 11:45pm CST.
At 11:09 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Garrison, or 16 miles northeast of Nacogdoches, moving east at 55 mph.
The public confirmed tornado. Hazardous weather includes damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
The tornado will be near Timpson around 11:15pm CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Appleby, Lilbert, Lawsonville, Arcadia, Looneyville and Stockman.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Radar indicated a hail threat, 0.75 inch; Wind threat of wind gusts of 60mph
March 2, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 10:52pm for Northwestern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana... Southern Panola County in northeastern Texas... Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas... Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas... Shelby County in eastern Texas... Angelina County in eastern Texas... San Augustine County in eastern Texas... and Southeastern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas... until 11:45 PM CST.
At 10:51pm CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles south of Minden to 6 miles southwest of Apple Springs, moving east at 45 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail and expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Center, Diboll, Hudson, Huntington, San Augustine, Tenaha, Timpson, Garrison, Joaquin, Wells, Martinsville, Trawick, Pollok, Macune, Shelbyville, Douglass, Melrose and Patroon.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions: A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CST for eastern and northeastern Texas. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until midnight CST for northwestern Louisiana.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Updated: The Sheriff's Department reports Gary Smith has been taken into custody by investigators with the SCSO with assistance of the San Augustine County Sheriff's Office at 3:20pm.
March 2, 2023 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s is seeking the whereabouts of Gary Smith, 20, of San Augustine. Smith is described as a 6’0” white male and weighs approximately 165 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Smith has an active felony warrant for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and a misdemeanor warrant for Terroristic Threat.
The SCSO is seeking assistance of the public with locating Smith. If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the SCSO (936) 598-5601.
If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns Smith of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.
March 1, 2023 - State Highway 7 (SH7) West at the intersection of FM 711 was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Emergency personnel with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Center Fire Department were dispatched to the scene to assist those involved in the crash, and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers in carrying out their investigation.
Fire department personnel helped extricate the driver and passenger of a blue impala from the vehicle so emergency medical services personnel could move them to an ambulance for transport.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Tim Grace, at 6:40pm a blue 2005 Chevrolet Impala driven by Justin Wayne Gibbs, 34, of Center was westbound and was beginning to turn left onto FM 711. At that time a silver 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven by Esther Yanes, 27, of Nacogdoches was also westbound in the same lane behind the blue Impala and failed to control speed striking the blue Impala in the rear.
Gibbs and his passenger Sarah Gibbs, 36, were transported by ambulance to a hospital in Nacogdoches for treatment of their injuries.
Yanes was injured but refused treatment at the scene and was not transported by ambulance. She chose to transport by private vehicle the hospital.
A citation for failure to control speed was issued to Yanes.
Additional details are not available at this time, this crash incident remains under investigation.
March 1, 2023 – The Deep East Texas Council of Governments has filed the required evidence with the Texas Broadband Development Office to challenge the accuracy of the new State Broadband Map. The challenge asserts that 46 census blocks in the 11-county DETCOG Region have significantly slower internet speeds than reported on the initial Texas Broadband Development Map. The state map will be used in determining how state and federal Broadband Internet Funds will be distributed around the state.
The challenge process did not allow for individual challenges, but provided that governmental entities and internet providers could provide evidence to contest the map. DETCOG’s challenge is based on evidence gathered from over 3,000 households and businesses in Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler Counties. These households and businesses responded to DETCOG’s requests to complete an online broadband survey and speed test.
DETCOG staff and contractors analyzed the surveys, grouping them by census blocks and identifying the ones where a minimum of 20 percent of the households in a census block were inaccurately represented on the state map. That analysis found 46 reportable census blocks where the data significantly differed from the state’s map.
“We had just gone through a similar process to challenge parts of the new Federal Communications Commission National Broadband Map, said DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt. “So, when the new Texas Broadband Map was released, we immediately recognized it over-represented the availability and speeds of internet service in our region. Left unchallenged, the use of both maps looked like our region would be short-changed when state and federal funds are distributed.”
DETCOG continues to leave up the challenge survey webpage where residents can submit their home information. It may be needed if further map changes are considered and to collect data for future grant applications. The survey and speed test may be completed at:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7218052/Deep-East-Texas-Internet-Speed-Test
The Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District is a voluntary association of local governments encompassing all of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler Counties as well as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. DETCOG is both a Regional Planning Commission of the State of Texas and a Federally chartered Economic Development District.
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