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June 15, 2023 - Flat Fork Water Supply water consumer confidence report for January 1 to December 31, 2022 is now available. Flat Fork WS provides ground water from Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer located in Center, TX, Shelby County and purchases surface water from the City of Center located in Shelby County. To view the report, click here.
June 14, 2023 - Law enforcement officials were on high alert Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2023, following the receipt of a threat of some sort to the active Shelby County Courthouse located on San Augustine Street in Center.
Although officers were already within the building, additional units surrounded the courthouse for the protection of everyone inside.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the courthouse including Texas Department of Public Safety; Shelby County Sheriff's Department; Center Police Department; and Constables with Precinct 1,2 and 4.
The threat didn't come to fruition and the officers maintained an active vigil until the courthouse was empty for the day.
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- Masterson Found Guilty on All Charges
June 14, 2023 - The Shelby County Appraisal District mailed appraisal notices on May 15th. Your city, county, school district and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to set your 2023 property tax rates.
Under Texas law, county appraisal districts are required to notify property owners about changes in their property’s value. The notice contains important information about the property’s location, its ownership and property tax exemptions that have been applied to the property.
Property owners who disagree with the appraised value of their property, the exemptions or any other action by the appraisal district have the right to appeal to the Shelby County Appraisal Review Board (ARB) even if they do not receive an appraisal notice. The ARB is an independent panel of citizens responsible for hearing and settling property owner protests. The notice of appraised value includes instructions on how and when to file a protest, a protest form, and the Comptroller’s Property Taxpayer Remedies of which will also be available on the appraisal district’s website. The deadline for filing a protest with the ARB is June 14th or 30 days after the day your notice was mailed.
The Comptroller’s publication, Property Taxpayer Remedies, explains in detail how to protest your property appraisal, what issues the ARB can consider and what to expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the option of taking your case to district court, the State Office of Administrative Hearings or binding arbitration if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your ARB hearing.
Property Taxpayer Remedies is available on the Shelby County Appraisal District’s website at shelbycad.com or by calling (936) 598-6171. The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.
June 13, 2023 - Scammers are contacting individuals pretending to be Shelby Savings Bank. They are using technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID so the number you see appears to be coming from Shelby Savings Bank. These calls are NOT Shelby Savings Bank.
- Scammers may say that there is a problem with your account and that you need to verify some information.
- Scammers want you to act before you have time to think.
- Do NOT give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.
Shelby Savings Bank will NOT call, email, or text you to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
If you receive a phone call, text or email contact Shelby Savings Bank immediately at 936-598-5688.
June 13, 2023 – A traffic switch is planned for next week, weather permitting, onto newly completed southbound lanes of US 69 in Zavalla.
Crews are currently working to complete the striping on the southbound side between Clay Plant Road and FM 1270 and will make the traffic shift once it is completed. During construction of the southbound lanes, motorists have utilized the northbound lanes for two-way traffic. Once traffic is shifted, both the southbound and northbound lanes will be fully opened to traffic.
“This is another successful phase of construction completed in this area that we are proud of,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “The enhanced safety of this newly constructed divided highway will also enhance US 69 as a major evacuation route in the event of major storms on the Gulf Coast.”
Drewery Construction, Nacogdoches TX, will serve as contractor for the $11.9 million construction project, which is one of three projects on US 69 near Zavalla that were designed to widen the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway that included the construction of bridges and overpasses.
Motorists are urged to use caution and stay alert as this new traffic pattern is implemented. Obey all traffic control as this traffic switch is made.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
June 12, 2023 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had an above average call volume over the week of June 4th through 10th with 11 separate calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Sunday morning at 11:26am and Monday night at 10:24pm the JVFD would be called to perform a lift assist at the same residence on Carroll Street. The call on Monday night would also result in the patient being transported by Allegiance EMS.
Wednesday evening at 6:26pm a call was received for a motor vehicle accident on Highway 84 East. The driver of a red KIA SUV had fallen asleep and drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic where he collided with the driver of a black Chevy. The JVFD medical team arrived on scene to tend to the two drivers involved in the accident while other members provided traffic control on the roadway. The Chevy driver was transported by ambulance to an emergency room while the KIA driver was treated on scene. Once the vehicle’s were removed from the road the scene was cleared.
Wednesday night at 10:18pm a page came in for a pickup truck fire at a residence on FM 139. The JVFD responded with Engine 1 and used the front preconnect line to extinguish the fire. The pickup was unfortunately a total loss.
Thursday afternoon at 1:08pm the JVFD was dispatched to Childress Street where a man had fallen through the floor of a heavy equipment trailer. The man had injured his leg in the fall but was able to pull himself back up onto the trailer where he was when JVFD units arrived. Allegiance EMS was there soon after and the patient was loaded into the ambulance and taken to an emergency room.
Thursday evening at 5:10pm a call was received for a grass fire near County Road 3343. The JVFD responded with a brush truck and was able to put the fire out fairly quickly.
Almost simultaneously a page for an elderly man having a medical emergency at a residence on Marshall Street was also received. Members of the JVFD not currently on the scene of the grass fire were redirected to this call. The medical team checked out the patient before DeSoto EMS arrived to transport him.
Saturday morning at 11:59am a call came in for a minor accident on the Haslam Strip in front of Nu Way involving a white sedan and an 18-wheeler. The driver’s of both vehicles were unharmed, but the big rig was still in the roadway. Since it was not disabled in the accident it was moved to the side of the road. The JVFD remained on scene until a DPS agent could arrive.
Saturday afternoon at about 2:20pm, as a storm was bearing down on the area, the JVFD was dispatched to a tree across the road and a single vehicle accident that were both located on Highway 84 East. A few members of the JVFD dealt with the accident scene while others searched for the tree blocking the road. There were no serious injuries reported from the accident, but the tree was never located.
Saturday evening at 5:29pm the JVFD was requested to help EMS with a lift assist on Carroll Street. This time to help the patient back into his home.
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.
June 9, 2023 - Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the recovery of three guns and drugs found during a traffic stop.
On June 7, 2023, deputies and investigators responded to a location on Highway 87 N in Center in regards to a reckless driver. During the course of the traffic stop, three handguns and 3.8 ounces (110 grams) of methamphetamines were recovered.
The sole occupant of the vehicle was arrested and this investigation is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.
The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.
June 8, 2023 - On June 5, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, 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.
San Augustine Rural Water 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 June 8, 2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512) 239-4691.
June 5, 2023 - Due to a break in a line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notify ALL customers who were formerly Bland Lake customers on CR 114, FM 1279, FM 3230, Hwy 96 N, FM 711 and Hwy 147 N to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., 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.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the 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 San Augustine Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
June 7, 2023 - Constable Cheatwood confirms Daniel Eaves, 38, of Center and Luke Odom, 39, of Timpson were two individuals arrested involving the theft of diesel on Thursday, June 1, 2023, and illegal drugs were also located.
Eaves was charged with theft of petroleum product, state jail felony; engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 3; and possession of a controlled substance PG1 >4G <400G, felony 2. Odom was charged with theft of petroleum product, state jail felony; and engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 3.
This incident remains under investigation and additional arrests are likely.
June 2, 2023 - Law enforcement officials investigated a fuel theft Thursday, June 1, 2023, which resulted in the necessity of an environmental cleanup due to a spill.
Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, was initially contacted about the incident on East Saddle Street near a city lift station. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by City of Joaquin officials to also respond to the location.
The area was strong with the odor of diesel fuel and it appeared a large quantity of the fuel had spilled into the stagnant body of water in a nearby creek. A garden hose was visible hanging from a fuel tank located within a fenced area beside the roadway, and large plastic drums were tipped over beside the creek located within the woods.
A trail from the fuel tank led through the woods to a neighboring trailer park where additional drums suspected of containing fuel were located.
Lonestar Hazmat was requested for cleanup of the spill, and officers continued their investigation of the apparent theft of diesel fuel.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, and Austin Cryer, Texas Game Warden, also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
A hazmat crew will be working to clean the area. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has made arrests as a result of their investigation which is still ongoing.
Representatives of the city, including Mayor Jessie Griffith were on scene to assist throughout the day.
June 7, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the declaration of June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month during their Wednesday, May 31, 2023, meeting.
Tracey Belin, Adult Protective Services, spoke with the commissioners about June being Elder Abuse Prevention Month and described some of the things for which her organization is responsible. Belin said she has been with the agency 24 years this summer.
“You guys have been instrumental with making sure that our program runs the way it’s supposed to,” said Belin. “Adult Protective Services, as you know our sister agency is Child Protective Services (CPS).”
Belin pointed out that CPS, since it represents children, is a little more well-known than APS; however, APS in the counties they serve, including Shelby County, is necessary to safeguard and protect the rights of elderly individuals 65 and older and disabled individuals 18 and older. APS works to make certain these individuals know their rights and if they don’t, APS can step in and make sure they make the best decision for those individuals with the information they have.
“Our program investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation in elderly and disabled adults,” said Belin. “We do a lot of different things in that realm of it, we investigate exploitation which is the taking and receiving of somebody else’s money without their consent. We do physical abuse, we do self-neglect which is inappropriate spending of their money, unable to pay their bills with their monthly income.”
Belin stated that their intakes have increased, and there isn’t actually a representative specific to Shelby County, Lakeisha Holden handles San Augustine and Shelby County. Belin explained her job involves community engagement.
“Just want to thank the commissioners and Judge [Allison] Harbison for always making sure our mental health warrants get signed,” said Belin.
Belin also expressed gratitude to law enforcement and their assistance in help APS to get their jobs done.
A motion carried by the commissioners to declare June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Melanie Taylor, Chief Executive Officer for the Burke Center, spoke with the commissioners about services the Burke Center provides to Shelby County.
Taylor addressed a change in the Burke service area that was impacted by redistricting in the state.
“Jasper County ended up with Speaker [Matthew] Phelan is their representative, which also serves the Beaumont region,” said Taylor. “So they ended up moving from the Deep East Texas Council Of Governments to the Southeast Texas Council of Governments.”
The commissioners had on their agenda, for consideration, an interlocal agreement including changes to Burke’s service region to no longer include Jasper County as of September 1, 2023 and allow the County Judge to sign documents to this effect on behalf of Shelby County.
Earlier during Taylor’s presentation, she gave some history on the Burke Center and that it was formed in 1974 by Commissioners’ Courts across the state, and then as a result the state provides funding.
Every three years the Commissioners’ Court selects a representative to be on the Burke Center board, and John Howard is Shelby County’s representation. Taylor said Howard is very active in that position.
“You probably see every year when you do your budget a line item for Burke, and it may be immaterial to your big budget, but what that is about is when you formed us each county agreed to provide match to draw down state dollars,” said Taylor. “So that first $8,000 is the match that you give us to draw down to provide services that we do.”
Taylor said 15 to 16 years ago the counties got together and addressed a crisis situation, which in turn an emergency crisis center was built. The counties agreed to contribute 25% of that cost and Shelby County contributes around $16,000 to that, according to Taylor. She said they are able to draw down 75% state revenue with the funding from the county.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the changes to Burke’s service region.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Changes to Burke’s service region to no longer include Jasper County as of September 1, 2023 and allow the County Judge to sign documents to this effect on behalf of Shelby County. 3. Proclamation declaring June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. 4. Allow the County Clerk to replace the fluorescent light fixtures in her office with LED fixtures. 5. Insurance payment for the Road and Bridge #3 excavator that was destroyed by fire which includes a $1,000.00 deductible to retain the salvage and from this point on to allow the elected official to make the determination to retain salvage or to take insurance payment for salvage. 6. Rescind motion from last week on agenda number 8, Pct. 3 Road and Bridge to seek bids through the BuyBoard for an Excavator. 7. Road and Bridge Pct.#3 to seek bids through the BuyBoard for the following equipment: Excavator equipped with Hydraulic Thumb; Quick connect; 36’ digging bucket; over more than 50 hp; Less than 21,000 pounds operation weight; Outside track width less than 91 inches. 8. Road and Bridge Pct. 3 to sell a Volvo-G930 Maintainer on Purplewave. (VIN VCE0G930T00040069) 9. Adjourn. Agenda items tables during the meeting include: 1. Table until June 14: Sealed bids that were opened on May 24th on a 2012 through 2022 Truck Tractor tandem-axle 400 plus HP in good condition used or new for Commissioner Pct. 3.
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