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July 18, 2022 - The week of July 11th through 17th was a busy one for the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department with 8 separate outings. Here’s a breakdown of all that transpired.
Beginning with Monday, July 11th, there were two medical calls within minutes of each other. The first was on Carroll Street and the second on County Road 3605. Both patients required transportation by ambulance.
On Wednesday, July 13th the JVFD EMR team would be dispatched to the Cool Breeze Trailer Park for a sick patient. The patient also requested to be taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
After the severe thunderstorms Wednesday evening, the Joaquin VFD provided traffic control to TxDOT crews that were removing fallen trees from roadways across the community.
Thursday, July 14th saw two calls consisting of a unresponsive patient on West Saddle Street and traffic control for a vehicle on the side the road near the baseball field on Highway 7 East.
On Saturday, July 16th, the JVFD EMRs would return to the Cool Breeze Trailer Park for the same patient as earlier in the week, this time unresponsive.
The final call for the week came in at 9:31pm on Saturday for a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 in front of the Dollar General. The driver of a sedan rear-ended a pickup truck before coming in contact with a high line pole. The driver of the pickup truck was able to pull to the side of the road a short distance away. Everyone involved in the accident was checked out by EMRs and paramedics alike before being transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals. Allegiance EMS and DeSoto EMS provided transport.
On any medical call, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department takes special precautions by wearing proper personal protective equipment before interacting with patients. This concludes the report for the week, until next time we hope everyone has a great week.
July 13, 2022 - The Shelby County Tax Office will be conducting a tax resale on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 6pm, on the front steps of the courthouse in Center, Texas.
Shelby County Tax Assessor/Collector Debora Riley said, "We try to hold our normal tax sales quarterly. The properties that do not sell can be sold through tax resale. In past years, we have sold these properties through sealed bids. I decided not to do that for the upcoming sale because I want to try and reach more individuals in order for them to be aware of what is available and have the opportunity to participate."
17 properties are listed on the notice of tax resale:
(General locations below, link to official notice at bottom.)
1. In City of Center at 1006 Garrett/Lister Street (0.1722 acre, more or less)
2. In City of Center on Brooks Street (0.25 acre, more or less)
3. Center ISD school district on St. Hwy 87 North (1.0 acre, more or less)
4. In City of Center at 1106 Kindle Street (3/4 acre, more or less)
5. Shelbyville ISD school district (0.16 acre, more or less)
6. Shelbyville ISD school district (3.0 acres, more or less)
7. Shelbyville ISD school district (0.1746 acre, more or less)
8. In City of Center on Wiseman (0.50 acre, more or less)
9. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lot 22, Unit 1, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
10. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lots 78-79, Unit 2, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
11. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lot 86, Unit 3, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
12. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lots 87-88, Unit 2, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
13. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lots 62-63, Unit 2, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
14. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lots 9 & 13, Unit 2, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
15. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lot 12, Unit 5, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
16. Shelbyville ISD school district (Lot 44, Unit 5, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
17. Shelbyville ISD school district (South 1/2 of Lots 16, 22, & 28, Rolling Hills Subdivision)
July 18, 2022 - Attendees were shocked during the July 5 meeting of the Tenaha City Council when the executive session was interrupted and the mayor requested law enforcement escort a council member out.
The meeting was closing in on completion when mayor O'Neal Jones exited from the executive session meeting room into the main meeting room and requested Chief Scott Burkhalter escort Durand Steadman from the room. Mayor Jones then walked to the main meeting room table and took a seat.
Steadman was then escorted outside where Chief Burkhalter spoke with him, and several other people from the meeting area headed outside as well.
It's unclear what the disruption was that caused the mayor to make the request of law enforcement; however, no legal action was taken following Steadman being escorted out.
During the public comment portion of the meeting Dennis Lily of Lily Sanitation thanked the citizens of Tenaha for whom he has picked up trash for years, he said he was concerned that he was told outside of the city limits he would have to pick up his cans. He said he wanted to know how it works for the city to tell him what to do outside of the city limits.
Robert Barton, a local resident, thanked the council for their service. He said he has been on the school board for years and understands what they go through.
"The trash pickup, I think it's a great idea guys, I think it's at the wrong time. My personal opinion," said Barton. "With the economy the way it is trying to force something on people, money's tight right now."
Barton said, as a citizen he doesn't like being told what he has to do and as a US Citizen feels he should have the freedom to choose what he wants to do.
"If I've got a business and I come in here and I see what happened last week, I wouldn't bring a business to this town, no way would I bring a business to this town. Y'all may not like each other, but you've got to respect each other, you've got to respect the position that you're in," said Barton.
The council then heard from Douglas Hooper who said he agreed with Barton's statements. He stated the city wasn't giving everyone a choice, and in America you have choices. He said he wasn't saying he was against the trash pickup, but he felt everyone should have been more informed.
Kim Richardson also spoke to the council, and she said she also agreed with Barton and this was the first council meeting she had attended.
"It's so sad, because people in this community are at poverty level or below poverty level and you're asking them to be able to come up with what $20 a month, or something like that? These children are receiving reduced or free lunches during the summertime because the parents can't make ends meet," said Richardson.
She stated she is in the healthcare field and just recently there was a man who couldn't afford his water and they helped him because he came in to take a shower due to a skin condition. She said it just wasn't right and like Barton said, it's just not the right time.
Janie Webb addressed the council and said she was really upset because she wasn't aware the city was working to get a trash service until trash cans appeared at her property.
"I called the city office and I was told, 'this was something we've implemented and we're going to charge for trash pickup and this is a way to have income coming in for roads and new water pipes,'" said Webb. "This is news to me, and I was told, 'well, surveys went out.' I didn't receive a survey."
Webb said she was told it was put in the printed newspaper and she said she hasn't gotten a printed newspaper in many years and she doesn't go on Shelby County Today very often.
Webb said she felt $20-$22 a month was steep and she described many people who would not be able to afford the rate for the trash pickup. Those who had trash pickup already, she said will now be forced to drop the current company.
"I feel like all of this was kind of underhanded and it's not right," said Webb. "We need to do things above board, and we need to come together as a community to fix these things, and not just say 'this is what's going to happen, and you've got to suck it up and deal with it.'"
The council reviewed the council meeting minutes of the May meeting and Steadman voiced his disagreement with the minutes because he stated if he had been aware the contract for Pineywoods Sanitation was contained in the proposal he would have never approved it.
"It's saying proposal right here, and that's what I thought it was saying, I never did go back no further," said Steadman.
Steadman made a motion not to approve the minutes, Bryan Adams moved to second Steadman's motion. Florance Adams then made a motion to accept the minutes as written and as corrected. Linda Vickery abstained from voting and Janice Barton abstained from voting. Mayor Jones then stated "three for and two nays, motion accepted and approved."
The council then discussed renewing the Employee Health Insurance for the 2022-2023 year with TML Health. Linda Vickery moved to renew the plan, and was seconded by Janice Barton and the motion carried.
Council then discussed Arnold Grounds Management Company's request for exemption from paying late fees. Amanda Treat-Brock, City Secretary, explained who the company represents.
"[They] are the new management company over the two sets of Barak Apartments," said Treat-Brock.
She then read aloud the letter submitted by the company, "Barak Apartments is a HUD approved complex, their rent is determined by the household income. Residents also receive what is called a utility allowance to help them pay their utilities, the amount is also based on the household income. This check is mailed to the office to be handed out to the resident and usually arrives at the office at or around the 10th of each month. I have found out that their water bill is due on the 10th of each month. I am requesting for late fees to be dismissed for our residents."
Durand Steadman then made the following motion, "I make the motion that we don't accept it, if we open the doors up, if we're going to exempt them from a late fee that means everybody else that gets a check on the 10th will have to exempt them too." Linda Vickery moved to second.
The council discussed revising the signature cards for all accounts with 1st National Bank of Hughes Springs, and Steadman suggested a third person be on the card and he nominated himself. A motion carried to add O'Neal Jones, Linda Vickery and Durand Steadman to the signature card and remove former mayor Michael Baker from the card.
Treat-Brock read aloud an email sent to the city from Seth C. Elmore and Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith withdrawing as legal representative for the city. A motion was made to accept the letter by Steadman, and was seconded by Barton, and the motion carried.
Bryan Adams requested changing the policy as to the forms of payment taken within the city office and he explained the request.
"If we was going with the trash service, then it was just going to be more paperwork in order for [Amanda] to do all of it at once I wanted to just start taking credit cards, money orders, and online payments instead of cash in the office," said Adams. "It would just be easier once you add all the trash and water together and everything."
Florance Adams pointed out not everyone has a checking account and Linda Vickery stated a lot of people don't have online access.
"A lot of people still get their money on cards, that would put them getting their money out of the ATM and I don't know if they have to pay a fee for that or not," said Florance Adams. "They can pay with a debit card, but it charges a fee."
Treat-Brock confirmed it does charge an additional fee to use a card.
"It'll be better on Amanda, at the end of the day all she gotta do is add up the checks and add up the money orders, everything else is gonna automatically go into the account," said Steadman.
Treat-Brock let the council know that she is required to copy all checks and money orders submitted to the office for payment, which will then increase the paperwork in the office.
"The way we do it at church, everybody that pays with a check, we fill out our deal we list that check number on there and the amount of how much it is," said Steadman.
Florance Adams questioned about the government cards for some people who may not have a checking, or savings account, who will then have to pay an additional fee.
Mayor Jones questioned if ceasing to take cash would put a burden on some older people, and those who may not be able to fill out a money order, and those who don't trust using the internet.
Bryan Adams moved to accept the change (cease to accept cash payments at the city office), which was seconded by Steadman and the motion carried with three for and two against, effective August 1.
The council began discussing solid waste collection and disposal charges and Steadman stated he would like to see the contract so they could consider what to charge for the trash pickup.
Janice Barton moved to go into executive session which was seconded by Durand Steadman.
The meeting reconvened in open session without the presence of Steadman, and Barton moved to postpone the solid waste collection and disposal charges; however, garbage would still be picked up as scheduled, seconded by Linda Vickery and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned.
During the June 27 meeting of the Tenaha City Council several residents of the area expressed their feelings the city is trying to force them to use the sanitation company the city chooses rather than one they currently have.
Steadman disputed a difference of $11,000 from the city account and he demanded to know what those funds were used for as he didn't know of any such charge. In reviewing the financials back to April there was not an $11,000 difference in the financials beyond a gain of interest. An argument quickly ensued when mayor Jones said Steadman and Bryan Adams had previously motioned and seconded to approve the sanitation contract and they disputed that statement.
The disagreement continued over the sanitation bid and contract with council members, the mayor and the audience which continued to be unruly and prevent the council from holding their meeting uninterrupted. After over 30 minutes of the audience arguing over sanitation, and Steadman and Bryan Adams continuing to dispute they approved a contract, mayor Jones mentioned his intent to close the meeting down and Steadman stated he could not do that, and mayor Jones requested someone motion for an adjournment.
Janice Barton requested the meeting return to the agenda.
After a time, Mayor Jones left the meeting and the meeting was then led by Florence Adams, mayor Pro-Tem.
Steadman disputed several items on the previous meeting minutes and he moved to not accept the previous meeting minutes. Linda Vickery then suggested making a motion to accept the minutes with the noted changes. Bryan Adams then seconded Steadman's original motion, and it failed. Florance Adams then said there was no action to be carried on the minutes and asked that Amanda Treat-Brock, City Secretary, make the necessary corrections.
A motion carried to accept the financial report for May.
Natalie Harris, a local resident, was on the agenda and addressed the council about the sanitation waste contract and a need for there to be an ordinance.
The council decided to address the items of the meeting at a special called meeting, and voted to adjourn the meeting.
Agenda items approved during the July 5 meeting include 1. Renewing the Employee Health Insurance for the 2022- 2023 year with TML Health. 2. Deny Arnold Grounds Management Company request for exemption from paying late fees. 3. Revising the signature cards for all accounts with 1st National Bank of Hughes Springs O'Neal Jones, Linda Vickery and Durand Steadman. 4. Resignation of Seth C. Elmore and Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith 5. Change the policy as to the form(s) of payment taken within the city office to no longer accept cash. 6. Enter executive session 7. Postpone the solid waste collection and disposal charges. 8. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled, postponed or no action taken during the meeting include: 1. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal charges. 2. Solid Waste Collection and Disposal charges and services for Church Rate customers.
July 14, 2022 - State Highway 7 (SH 7) East at the intersection with State Loop 500 (SL 500) was the scene of a crash Monday, July 11, 2022, involving three-vehicles.
According to Center Police Officer Michael Davidson, sometime after 8am a white Peterbilt truck-tractor owned by Trophy Trucking Services, LLC out of Houston and driven by Erick Thomas, 36, of Longview crossed State Highway 7 East traveling north on SL 500.
The Peterbilt failed to yield right of way to a black 2018 Volkswagen Atlas driven by Leanne Nelson, 50, of Joaquin which was westbound on SH 7. Nelson attempted to brake as a white 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck driven by Anna Register, 26, of Logansport, who was traveling behind the Volkswagen, also attempted to brake and struck the Volkswagen which subsequently collided with the Peterbilt.
Only minor injuries were reported as a result of the crash, and no citations were issued at the time of the incident.
Center Fire Department personnel and Shelby County Sheriff's Department deputies assisted at the scene with traffic control.
July 14, 2022 - County Road 1023 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, July 8, 2022, involving a delivery van and a truck hauling equipment.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper David Shields, at 2pm one quarter of a mile north of CR 1022 a white 2010 GMC Savana FedEx delivery van driven by Matthew Hearnsberger, 26, was traveling southbound on CR 1023. The van failed to give half of roadway to a white 2016 Ford F-550 driven by Kenneth Farnham, 42, pulling a Big Tex trailer with passenger Samuel Smith, 25. The two vehicles struck in a curve in the roadway causing damage to both.
Emergency medical services personnel were at the location, and treatment was refused by all parties. No citations were issued at the time of the incident.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Center Fire Department personnel responded to the scene on request to assist with traffic control.
July 13, 2022 - Utility crews will be repairing a water main located between the 1000-1200 block on Shelbyville Street. Repairs will begin at 4:00 a.m. Thursday, July 14th. The duration for the repair is estimated between 4-6 hours. During that time, all traffic lanes within that portion of Shelbyville Street will be closed and will need to take the posted detoured routes along McKee, Collier and Florence Streets.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 936-598-2941.
Photos courtesy of West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department
July 13, 2022 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 7 West, just west of County Road 1210, that occurred on Sunday, July 10, 2022.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 3am, a grey 2000 Ford Expedition SUV was traveling west. It is reported that the driver of the SUV fell asleep and drifted off the road to the right, struck a power pole and overturned.
The driver identified as Areli Echeverria Cordova, 52, of Beaumont, refused treatment. Cordova was issued a citation for not having a driver's license.
There is no additional information available at this time.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene.
July 13, 2022 - The Shelby County Commissioners met in court Wednesday, July 13, 2022, and took no action to lift the burn ban with no rain in sight at this time, and as a result left the ban in place.
During discussion over the burn ban, County Judge Allison Harbison commented there hasn't been any significant rainfall, and she didn't think any action should be taken. Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, stated all of his burn ban signs have been posted.
The Adult Probation building on the Center square has been under repair by Paul Hagler Construction and a request for partial payment was submitted to the county.
"His original bid was the $120,[000] and he's asking to be paid the $60,000 and I think he's done that much work already," said Judge Harbison.
A motion carried by the commissioners to allocate a payment of $60,000 to Paul Hagler.
The commissioners further considered additional repair cost to the Adult Probation Building submitted by Hagler due to additional repairs that were found to be necessary during remodeling.
The total cost of the additional repairs is $5,550 with $2,100 of that being for roof repair and $3,450 to repair the roof on the front porch the of the building.
"I happened to be coming around the square when they were scraping it off, there were holes around the [chimneys] that were rotten that they couldn't have seen until they pulled that off," said Judge Harbison.
Commissioner Stevie Smith commented they knew that could happen, and Judge Harbison stated she believed he was just charging for the materials and not the labor.
Judge Harbison the porch wasn't included on the initial walk-through of the building and once it was discovered to be rotten during remodeling, it would be a mistake to not address the issue.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the additions to the repair cost of the Adult Probation building.
The Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, has a 2007 Ford 1-ton truck which doesn't have a motor or a bed and he is seeking sealed bids on the truck as is.
A motion carried for Commissioner Pct. 3 to take sealed bids on the truck to be sold as is.
Debora Riles, Tax Assessor/Collector, spoke with the commissioners about an upcoming tax resale on July 19, at 6pm which is something new to increase opportunity for more people in the community to attend.
"We've done a tax resale before, but we did it we tagged it onto the end of one of our quarterly sales," said Riley.
Riley stated most of the properties are in the Shelbyville area, and there are some in the Center area as well.
The meeting adjourned at 9:51am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of June 1, 2022 Special meeting, June 8, 2022 Regular meeting, June 15, 2022 Special meeting, June 20, 2022 Special meeting, June 22, 2022 Special meeting, June 29, 2022 Special meeting, June 29, 2022 Emergency meeting, June 29, 2022 Workshop meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers reports. 4. Commissioner Pct. 3 to take sealed bids on a 2007 Ford Truck. Truck will be sold as is. 5. Partial payment of $60,000 to Paul Hagler for work completed at the Adult Probation Building to date. 6. Additions to the repair cost of the Adult Probation Building in the amount of $2,100 for repairing the roof and $3,450 for repairing the roof on the front porch of the building for a total cost of $5,550. 7. Renew yearly contract with Computer Information Concepts for Tax office at a cost of $4,400. 8. Adjourn.
July 13, 2022 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for West central De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Southeastern Panola County in northeastern Texas, North central Shelby County in eastern Texas until 8pm CDT.
At 709 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Joaquin, or 12 miles north of Center, and is nearly stationary.
Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Logansport, Joaquin, Deadwood and Paxton.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in Shreveport.
Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
July 12, 2022 - Several law enforcement agencies, assisting the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, responded to a residence on CR 2335 near FM 417 Tuesday afternoon, July 12, 2022, in relation to an incident at a residence.
Once the officers were on scene they directed their attention to a neighboring house where they engaged contact with an individual inside.
With weapons drawn, officers entered the residence and after a brief time exited with a man in handcuffs who was escorted to a nearby Sheriff's Department patrol unit.
Investigators subsequently exited the residence with several firearms in their possession taken from inside the house.
Information has not yet been released by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
Assisting the Sheriff's Department were officers with the Center Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Constable Precinct 4, and Constable Precinct 1.
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