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August 10, 2023 - Center Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence on Price Street not far from the intersection of Wiseman Street on August 4, 2023 at around 11:30pm.
Initial reports were of concern for a resident being trapped inside the home, which was around 100 yards from the roadway, while a fire raged just in front of the structure surrounded by woods.
When Center Fire Department personnel arrived a large pile of debris, as well as a camper trailer were on fire. The firefighters began working to extinguish the fire, while additional personnel and law enforcement officers with the Center Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety worked diligently to locate the resident of the house. He was eventually located unharmed.
The firefighters were successful in extinguishing the flames and preventing the house from becoming involved in the fire.
The cause of the fire was undetermined at the time the fire was extinguished.
August 10, 2023 - State Highway 7 (SH7) East at the intersection of State Loop 500 (SL 500) was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, August 4, 2023.
According to Center Police Officer Brian Wright, a white Jeep Laredo driven by Wendy Sims, 47, of Center was westbound on SH7 when it came to the intersection of SL 500 and came to a stop at the stop sign. At that time a white Honda Civic driven by Melissa Smith, 41, of Brooklyn was northbound on SL 500 and came to a stop at the northbound stop sign after Sims.
Smith failed to yield right of way to Sims causing the Honda to strike the left rear of the Jeep and leaving the Honda in the middle of the roadway.
Both drivers received minor injuries resulting from the crash and were checked by EMS at the scene, but refused treatment. The Honda was towed from the scene.
No citations were issued.
August 8, 2023 - Emergency personnel responded to a three-vehicle crash Saturday, August 4, 2023, in Tenaha at the intersection of U.S. Highways 96 and 59.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 2:10pm a Buick Century driven by James Allen Dunahoe, 74, of Gladewater failed to yield right of way at a stopped intersection entering onto U.S. Highway 96 North. When the Buick entered the highway it struck a 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck driven by Klayton Ryan Cassity, 31, causing damage to both vehicles.
Debris from the Dodge then struck and caused minor damage to a 2022 Nissan Altima driven by Heather Lynn Jolicoeur, 46.
No injuries were reported due to the crash, a citation was issued to Dunahoe for fail to yield right of way stop sign.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted at the crash scene.
August 8, 2023 — Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the State Wildfire Preparedness Level to Level 4 due to the recent increase in wildfire activity across the state and the growing potential for wildfires to become more severe, making them harder to control.
“The decision to move to a Preparedness Level 4 indicates that the complexity of wildfires across Texas is increasing to where they require more time, personnel and equipment to contain and put out,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief.
This week, very high to extreme fire danger is forecast for broad regions of the state, including areas along the I-35 corridor between Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio, and extending west to Abilene and Wichita Falls.
Regions with increased risk also include areas east of I-45 and south of I-20, near Jacksonville, Center, Lufkin, Crockett, Huntsville, Woodville, Cleveland, Kirbyville and Jasper.
Critical fire weather, characterized by increased wind speeds and triple-digit temperatures, will align with very dry vegetation to produce an environment with high potential for wildfires that are resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts and may impact citizens within the identified areas of concern.
Over the past week, state and local firefighters have responded to 119 wildfires that burned 9,012 acres.
“I continue to be impressed by the dedication and selfless service of firefighters across the state,” said Moorehead. “Every single day, they work in some of the hottest and most challenging conditions. These responders do a tremendous job protecting lives and property from destructive wildfires.”
It is crucial that everyone in Texas take care to prevent wildfires and be cautious of any outdoor activity that may cause a spark. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
For more information about summer wildfire prevention, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/summerwildfires/.
For information on the current wildfire situation in Texas, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/CurrentSituation/.
Denim Smith
August 7, 2023 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports that on July 27, 2023, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a shooting incident at a residence in Timpson.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement personnel, a 17-year-old male subject identified as Camo Morton was found deceased from an apparent gun shot wound.
An inquest was performed by Shelby County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Tracy Broadway and an autopsy was ordered. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Denim Smith, 18, of Timpson and a juvenile subject, both charged with murder.
Related article:
Law Enforcement Officials Investigate Shooting Incident on CR 4855
Severe Drought Conditions Continue
Sabine National Forest, Indian Mounds Wilderness
August 7, 2023 -- Wilderness areas are sensitive in nature with very specific tactics and strategies required when mitigating activity, such as a wildfire within its boundaries. Mechanical equipment and aircraft are not generally permitted in these areas as set forth by the Wilderness Act of 1964. Indian Mounds Wilderness became a Congressionally designated wilderness area in 1984 and is the third largest wilderness area in the state of Texas. Wilderness areas are designed to be left to natural process and generally free from active management.
The Hogpen Fire was started when a storm cell producing significant lightning came through the area. An air to ground strike caused the initial start and the Hogpen Fire began to grow in the wilderness. Suppression operations began on July 24 and as the acres continued to grow additional resources were ordered through Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TICC) dispatch. A Type 3 Incident Management Team was brought in to plan the best strategy for managing resources and the complexities presented by a fire in a Congressionally designated wilderness area. Aerial support was instrumental in the successful suppression of this fire. Bucket drops were conducted over the first two operational periods, stifling the attempted advances of the fire front. Natural barriers and travel ways were utilized to keep the fire from spreading and limit the impact to the wilderness.
Local USFS resources had previously been engaged in suppression activities days prior on two wilderness fires located on the Angelina/Sabine National Forest in the Upland Island Wilderness. Additional resources were a dire need to help support the local district’s suppression efforts with the new wilderness fire. Support poured in from across the nation to assist the Angelina/Sabine districts successfully contain the blaze. Crews responded from as far away as the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.
The ongoing fire is currently 50% contained. With Texas facing severe drought conditions and no substantial rainfall expected in the forecast, our crews will continue to remain vigilant on this fire and available to provide support to our state and local partners as requested.
Current Hogpen Stats: 1,219 acres, no firefighters or citizens injured, no damage to property.
Resources: USFS - Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico.
Private Contractors: Florida and Kansas.
The Sabine National Forest would like to thank the Sabine County community, our local county government Judge Melton and Emergency Management official David Roach for their support and coordination efforts. Local businesses and the public have been supportive and shown appreciation for all the resources on this fire.
August 7, 2023 - Over the week of July 30th through August 5th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to 5 calls. Here’s a summary of the weeks events.
Sunday morning at 7:25am a call came in for an unresponsive person at a residence on County Road 3193. The JVFD medical team responded and discovered that the patient was deceased, and a funeral home was contacted. Members of the medical team assisted the funeral home personnel with loading the deceased person into the hearse.
Sunday evening at 5:11pm a page was received for a stab victim on County Road 3427. The medical team responded as well as Allegiance EMS to treat the patient’s wound which was found to be non-life threatening.
Wednesday night at 10:00pm the medical team would be dispatched to the Joaquin Apartments for a person who was believed to have gotten too hot. Allegiance EMS also responded.
Friday afternoon at 2:02pm a call came in for an SUV that had run off the road on Highway 84 East. The driver was not harmed, but the SUV had to be towed away.
Saturday morning at 11:11am the JVFD was dispatched to a brush fire near FM 3082. They responded with 3 brush trucks and an engine for extra water. The fire was severe enough that the Texas A&M Forest Service was called in and they took control of the scene. The fire was started from a downed power line.
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 going forward.
August 6, 2023 - Two victims were discovered following a house fire on the night of Saturday, August 5, 2023, off FM 2140.
Fire personnel with the Center Fire Department (CFD) were dispatched to the scene when they were alerted of a house fully involved in fire, and the possibility of people still inside.
When firefighters from the CFD and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene, their focus was to locate the occupants and to extinguish the fire.
As the firemen worked at extinguishing the flames, they discovered two people inside had not made it out and perished in the fire.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel were at the location conducting their investigation and the State Fire Marshal has also been engaged to investigate the incident.
Allegiance EMS personnel were on scene due to the possibility of occupants in the house as well as to assist fire personnel in the event those responding needed medical aid.
Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, performed the inquest.
August 6, 2023 - A Center man lost his life in an automobile crash involving a car he was test driving on August 5, 2023, on U.S. Highway 96 North.
The vehicle was around a mile from the car dealership when the incident happened, and after that, emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene just south of the intersection with SL 500.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), State Troopers investigated the crash and the preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 9:10am, a black 2023 Dodge Challenger passenger car driven by Michael Whisenant, 45, of Center was traveling north when it failed to drive in a single lane and drove off the roadway to the left where it struck a tree and ejected the driver.
Whisenant was pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported Whisenant from the location of the crash.
DPS reports the crash remains under investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Keith Jones, assisted at the scene by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies Misty Ray and Jud Matthews.
August 3, 2023 - The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) held a meeting on the morning of August 3, 2023, and Shelby County Jail was included in their agenda for discussion with Shelby County officials available to offer updates on their progress.
Due to non-compliance Shelby County has been working since March to rectify an issue on cell checks. The commission stated the county has made substantial progress in their effort to correct the issues.
The issues of compliance were indicated to include exceeding the required 30-minute observation time period on some cell checks and exceeding the required 60-minute observation time on other cell checks.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
Shelby County representatives gave an update on their progress and current status for the commission’s knowledge. Representatives for Shelby County included Shelby County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales; Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison; and Shelby County Sheriff’s Capt. D.J. Dickerson.
Chief Gonzales provided some background information for commission on what has occurred up until the meeting. She stated the jail lost its administrator back in April 2023, and she has been working with Shelby County Sheriff Lt. Detective Chad Hooper in trying to bring the jail into compliance. Gonzales stated they have requested more jailers, and have been granted two more by the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court. She believes this addition in staff will help to improve the cell checks.
Chief Gonzales believes an old system the jail utilizes in checking in inmates has contributed to some of their issues and they are attempting to implement a new system. She said how appreciative they are of the Angelina County jail staff an their assistance in trying to bring the Shelby County Jail back into compliance.
Half of the jailers are currently not certified yet, but that is being addressed and Chief Gonzales believes they are moving forward and she stated she appreciates the commissions patients.
Judge Harbison spoke to the commission members and she said the county commissioners have been very supportive of the jail, and she remarked on there have been vacancies in the Shelby County Jail staff, just as with other agencies across the state. Judge Harbison mentioned a mid budget season increase to the salaries of jailers and dispatchers of $2 an hour. She also stated they are proposing a $2,600 raise across the board for all employees and officers.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
As Chief Gonzales stated, the commissioners allowed for two more jailer positions, and Judge Harbison explained they accomplished that by moving salaries from two open officer positions to the jail, which will be re-evaluated at budget time. Judge Harbison feels the county has been very supportive of the jail and she and the commissioners have done all they can to be supportive of the jail during this time.
Chief Gonzales responded to the commission’s inquiry of how many jailers their are and she responded with 15, including the jail administrator. She confirmed the jail is fully staffed, as of Monday before the meeting. Chief Gonzales said the raise helped to increase the number of applicants at the jail and they are now fully staffed.
The commission stated that has helped them to come very close to being able to perform all of the required checks as required. A request was made of the commission to be able to continue to work with the Shelby County Jail in their efforts as they are very close now to being in compliance. The commission foresees Shelby County will be back in compliance by the November meeting, and looks forward to being able to place them on the old business portion of their November agenda for consideration. No action was taken by the commission, and the county representatives were dismissed.
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