The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
June 27, 2022 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison signed a declaration of disaster and order prohibiting outdoor burning today, June 27th making the county under a burn ban effective immediately.
Judge Harbison did advise the fireworks show is still planned in Tenaha as the City of Tenaha is taking extra precautions with the fire department standing by at the celebration.
Declaration of Disaster and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, the County Judge of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to § 4180108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County. This order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; Ordered this 27 day of June, 2022.
June 27, 2022 - Over the week of June 20th to June 26th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 5 calls. All in all there were 2 medical related calls, 2 traffic calls, and 1 fire.
Starting at 12:51am on Monday, June 20th, the JVFD EMRs were dispatched to an unresponsive person who may have overdosed on medication.
Friday, June 24th saw 3 calls, the first at 3:08am for a house fire on County Road 3421 in Woodland Shores. Upon arriving on the scene it was evident that the house had been burning for some time, as it was already on the ground. The Joaquin VFD put out the remaining fire with help from DeSoto Fire District 1. No one was home at the time of the fire.
The next 2 calls for Friday came in between 1:39pm and 2:12pm, both for trucks broke down in lanes of traffic. The JVFD arrived to provide traffic control along with Constable Roy Cheatwood.
The final call for the week came in Saturday, June 25th at 1:21pm for a person burned with saltwater on Hwy 84 East. The Joaquin VFD EMRs responded to secure the patient until Allegiance EMS could arrive. An airlift was later called for the patient.
That concludes the report for the week. Until next time, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great week.
June 26, 2022 - The Tenaha City Council was compelled to fill an open seat during their May 23 meeting following the election of O'Neal Jones to the position of mayor which then vacated his seat.
The majority of council members were in favor of appointing Florance Adams to the open position; however, there were combating motions and no final vote to carry any of them.
First Linda Vickery made a motion to appoint Florance Adams to the open seat, then a motion was made by Durand Steadman to appoint Lee Gibbs, which was followed by another motion from Janice Barton to appoint Florance Adams, Bryan Adams stated Ms. (Florance) Adams, and then mayor Jones called for a show of hands with three for Adams. Mayor Jones then asked for a second and Barton seconded Vickery's motion. Steadman stated he didn't accept.
Florance Adams was then sworn-in by Amanda Treat-Brock, City Secretary.
During the meeting the council heard public comment from Verna Stewart regarding garbage service in town. With the city council considering adopting garbage service for the entire city, she asked for them to exclude the housing authority if possible. She said they have been dealing with J&D Trash service there for years and she has a perfect agreement worked out with the supplier of that service. She felt it less expensive for her to stay with that agreement than with one of the new services the city was considering.
Cliff Lloyd addressed the council about agenda item 12 from the April 25, 2022, meeting where a motion was made by Janice Barton, and seconded, to postpone the item until the May regular meeting so that Lloyd could be on the agenda to speak about the item. The council then voted to approve the motion.
Lloyd reminded the council that was what was approved at the April meeting; however, he said the current mayor has stated to him it was not approved, and that the city secretary told him it was not approved. Lloyd played a recording from the April meeting where the motion and second could be heard, as well as the vote to approve it. Lloyd continued then by saying he didn't understand why he couldn't get on the agenda, and he asked for someone to answer
Mayor Jones asked Lloyd what his agenda is, and Lloyd said it was item 12. Jones asked again what his agenda is which he then read was discuss and consider water. Jones persisted in asking Lloyd what his agenda was when it clearly was item 12 from the April meeting.
Steadman clarified Lloyd was wanting to speak with the council about the water taps. Lloyd continued to state he wanted on the agenda to speak on the item and Jones persisted again in stating he needed to present an agenda.
In the end, the council didn't comply with their original motion to put Lloyd on the agenda to speak on that particular agenda item, which is an altogether different circumstance from public comment.
During council comments at the end of the meeting Bryan Adams made a statement regarding allowing citizens to speak.
"We're basically here for the citizens, you know, so anytime a citizen comes and ask to be put on the agenda no matter they could be talking about their dog, they should be put on the agenda," said Adams. "Regardless of what they want to talk about, that's why we're here for citizens input."
A motion was made during the meeting to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2022, meeting and it was seconded, Steadman made a separate motion to not approve the minutes because Cliff Lloyd was approved at that meeting to be on the agenda which he was not.
A vote then carried to approve the motion with one voting against.
Following the executive session, Florance Adams stated they evaluated Public Works Operator Kendrick McClure, and that he maintained or exceeded what was expected of him the past year and so they decided during executive session to give him a raise of $1. A motion was then seconded and carried by vote to give him a $1 increase.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Appoint Council Member Florance Adams for Place No. 5. 2. Appoint Council Member Florance Adams to the Mayor Pro-Tem position. 3. Minutes for the April 25, 2022, City Council Meeting with one vote against. 4. April 2022 Financials with one vote against. 5. Execute Interlocal Agreement to Participate in the Shelby County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and pay $1,326.47. 6. Approve Pineywoods Sanitation for waste services contract. 7. Open Bids for Mowing Services and then Discuss and Consider Approving the Mowing Contract. Durand Steadman made a motion to approve Ms. Hamilton, Florance Adams then made a motion to approve Blake Cranford, mayor Jones asked how many were in favor of Cranford and Bryan Adams said he was going with Hamilton. Jones then asked for a show of hands in favor of Hamilton with two and in favor of Cranford with three. Mayor Jones then stated the motion carried for Cranford. 15. Executive Session: $1 raise for Public Works Operator Kendrick McClure 16. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Discuss and consider revising the Water, Wastewater and tap fees.
June 22, 2022 - The Shelby County Commissioners Court approved the purchase of a server from which both the County Appraisal District and Tax Assessor/Collector will operate during their meeting held Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Bobby Pigg, Shelby County Appraiser, and Debora Riley, Shelby County Tax Assessor/Collector, presented the commissioners with a proposal including several options; however, the main one they were focused on was the purchase of a single server for the two offices to share both in expense and use.
Pigg explained the Appraisal District is expecting to pay half of the $21,000 for the server plus the $7,800 setup expense.
A motion carried to move forward with a combined server for the Tax Assessor/Collector's office and the Appraisal District at a cost of $30,900.
County Judge Allison Harbison stated there have been several presentations on the possibility of video and audio equipment being installed. She stated one previous quote presented by a district judge was quite costly; however, she said a more local company presented a quote that was not as expensive. District Attorney Karren Price has requested this be done, and presented the most recent quote to Judge Harbison.
"It is with Encore Music out of Nacogdoches, and both courtrooms for video and audio, the total amount is $31,017," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison reminded the court that years ago the court had approved for the District Attorney's office to get a drop-down television installed, yet it did not happen.
"This is just pushing it forward and making it happen," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison remarked to the court the video will be beneficial for the use of the court, and the audio will help everyone in the courtroom be able to hear. She stated the current quote is a lot better than the over$100,000 quote they had received from someone else before.
A motion carried to approve installing video and audio equipment in the District Courtrooms at a cost of $31,017.
There were line item transfers for the commissioners to consider during the meeting and Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, explained what these were.
"For the Coronavirus Relief Fund, these are the actions that you took last week in commissioners' court to approve the laundry room at the jail and the industrical washer," said Porterfield. "So, we're setting up a budget through this process."
Additional adjustments were also made to the commissioners individual gravel accounts.
A motion carried to approve the FY2022 Line-Item transfers.
The commissioners discussed the weekly expenses and Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, spoke with them about issues with a couple of the bills. The first was for work on the Old Records Building where the bid from Hagler Construction was $13,800 and instead the bill came in at $14,000.
"We had a bid of $13,800 so that's what I put it in as, what the bid was," said Blackwell.
Blackwell said there was no description with the bill as to why the additional cost. Judge Harbison stated he did have an issue, but he didn't elaborate on the bill. Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, said there should have been an explanation of why the cost went up.
"Mr. Teddy Hopkins was over there one morning and told them that that's not the way it was supposed to be and instead of listening to their boss, or asking me, his workers pulled it off," said Judge Harbison. "They'll never do that again."
McSwain said he had also been there on the same morning and questioned the workers as to why they were taking off brand new tin and he said they explained.
"The bid's still $13,800, he should have come to court," said McSwain.
Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, had also been at the site that morning and spoke with the constractor about the issue.
"I said, then if you're going to add it to our bill we'll have to get the Historical [Commission] to pay that delta," said Bellmyer. "He had a hard money bid and the instructions that he had was to replace like in kind."
Porterfield stated there was no supporting documentation presented to for payment to prove anything was different from the bid.
"I'll get Paul [Hagler] to submit us a change order, we can have the Historical [Commission] come in and find out where they're going to pay that change order, in my opinion," said Bellmyer.
Another bill of concern was from Timberwolf Lake Works.
"We had an issue with them charging the wrong amount and I thought we had it straightened out," said Blackwell.
The invoice for Precinct 4 was in the amount of $2,882.76 and, according to Blackwell, the corret amount should be $2,874. Blackwell said they would void the invoice and pay the correct amount.
A motion carried to pay the weekly expenses with changes.
The meeting adjourned at 10:24am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. The commissioners approved paying the weekly expenses and considered a couple of variations to bills which didn't come in as they were originally bid. The commissioners approved paying the weekly expenses with those two bills being paid that their original bid amount 2. Payroll was approved to be paid 3. Action was taken to increase the mileage rate on travel from .58 to .625. The IRS rate has been 58.5 4. The commissioners approved FY2022 budget line-item transfers, and Clint Porterfield explained this is a weekly action that has been being taking place to set up budget and do house keeping on items approved during the previous week's meeting. 5. A donation from the City of Timpson of a bulletproof vest for the benefit of the Precinct 5 Reserve Deputy Constable Billy Lusk . 6. The commissioners moved forward on the purchase of a server for the Tax Office and Central Tax Appraisal District at a cost of $30,900. 7. The commissioners approved equipping the District Courtrooms with a video and sound equipment system at a cost of $31,017. 8. The meeting was adjourned at 10:24am.
June 23, 2022 — The Texas fire environment will support increased wildfire activity through the weekend, as hot and dry conditions persist across the state.
Above normal temperatures and minimal rainfall is forecast for the third week in a row due to a period of high pressure that is impacting the state. Accelerated drying in vegetation, resulting from widespread triple digit temperatures and dry air, begins Thursday and will continue through the weekend.
Elevated fire weather, including triple digit temperatures, low relative humidity and wind speeds near 15 mph, will support an increased potential for significant wildfires that may directly impact communities where dry to critically dry vegetation is present.
Much of the state is currently experiencing drought conditions. The drought, established in the fall and intensified through the spring, is now carrying over into the summer season.
“The dryness we are currently seeing across portions of the state is, generally, what we would be experiencing in mid to late July,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services Department Head. “The drought that has been carried over from the spring into the summer has initiated an early start to summer fire season. Early summer drying in June also introduces the possibility of experiencing a severe late summer fire season.
This year, wildfire activity has trended above normal for acres burned and number of fire responses. State and local fire resources have responded to an average of 4,047 wildfires for 188,259 acres over the past 5 years. In 2022, firefighters have already responded to 5,047 wildfires that have burned 527,241 acres across the state.
Many recent wildfire starts have required more time and resources to fully contain due to current conditions.
“State and local first responders have been incredibly busy this year without much reprieve and forecast conditions indicate that we may be facing a very busy summer season as well,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “We urge Texans to be cautious and prevent wildfire ignitions this summer.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring the current situation closely and has positioned personnel and equipment across the state for a quick and effective response to any requests for assistance.
Fully staffed task forces and additional suppression equipment are staged across the state in anticipation of increased activity. Additionally, 187 personnel from other states are currently in Texas to support wildfire response efforts.
Nineteen aviation resources are staged in state, including one large air tanker and nine single engine air tankers.
Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.
For current conditions and wildfire outlook, visit the Texas Fire Potential Outlook https://bit.ly/3kemhbG.
Texas A&M Forest Service does not own any aviation resources but instead uses federal aviation contracts through the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for all firefighting aircraft.
Update 4:00pm: Power has been restored at Shelby County Today's office.
June 22, 2022 - SWEPCO reports on June 22, 2022 at 1:44pm an outage occurred in Center impacting approximately 1,056 customers. Estimated restoration time is at 6pm. The outage affected downtown and Hurst Street (Walmart and McDonalds) as well as much of Center. At the time of the outage, a transformer blew on Cora Street not far from the SWEPCO's substation and the Center Fire Department was dispatched to the area.
The Shelby County Commissioners approved some budget adjestments involving the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and considered some pharmaceutical changes for the jail during their meeting held June 8, 2022.
Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, presented the current budget line-item transfers needed on the budget for house keeping purposes.
"We are moving budget from what's the current budget, it's all in fixed assets where we're now moving some budget money money in that section right there to account for current court actions we just took within the last two weeks," said Porterfield.
The actions he referenced included the Hazard Mitigation Plan, Adult Probation Building, and remodeling the Historic Courthouse Annex Building out of the CRF.
"So this is basically just moving money to set up a line-item budget for those items just approved currently by the court," said Porterfield. "The rest of it is Road and Bridge, and again we've been doing this for several months now just making some line-item transfers to make the budget current and adjusting the gravel accounts."
In addition to the line-item transfers, Porterfield provided the commissioners with an expenditure detail of the CRF.
At the time of the meeting, the fund balance remaining of the $905,833.19 was $152,597.43.
Judge Allison Harbison clarified with Porterfield, monies received from the other municipal entities in the county would be placed in the CRF. Money also received from the insurance company on the Sheriff's Department Tahoe which was recently totaled will be put into the CRF.
A motion carried to make the budget amendments.
Don Moore, Shelby County Jail Administrator, addressed the court about a potential agreement for pharmaceutical services between Independent Health Services, Inc. d/b/a IHS Pharmacy and Shelby County for medication and pharmacy services to the jail.
Moore informed the court they are using Correct RX for pharmaceuticals which they received in blister packs in 90-day supply.
"We have continuous mistakes by the jailers," said Moore. "To alleviate this we've talked to the pharmaceutical company."
Moore described the medications coming in a box with an inmate's name on it and all medications the inmate may take in one package for a specific dose.
"There's no more pulling individual blister packs and getting the medicine, it'll all be in one little package," said Moore. "The purpose of this is to cut down on mistakes made by the jailers. We go through jailers pretty regular."
Moore elaborated on the difficulty of trying to keep jailers trained and up to date as new jailers are hired.
"The blister packs, if the doctor changes the medicine and they don't go back into the medical file and look, they just give what's on that blister pack, well she's added a medicine and it would all be in these packages," said Moore.
According to Moore, the new service would provide a 14-day supply that renews automatically every 14 days, and the service would be dealing directly with the jail doctor and not speaking with jailers who aren't trained to deal with such information.
"Really, it's just to cut down on the liability of mistakes in the jail, because it could be a serious health issue," said Moore.
Moore said there isn't any additional cost, the medicines will mostly be the same, and the main difference is packaging.
A motion carried to approve the Agreement to Provide Pharmaceutical Services between Independent Health Services, Inc. d/b/a IHS Pharmacy and Shelby County for medication and pharmacy services to the Shelby County Jail as presented by Moore.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of May 4, 2022 Special meeting, May 11, 2022 Regular meeting, May 18, 2022 Special meeting, May 25, 2022 Special meeting, of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers reports. 4. Current payroll. 5. Appoint two DETCOG Board Members, Judge Allison Harbison and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer, to represent Shelby County on the Board of Directors for FY 2022-2023. 6. FY2022 Budget Line-Item Transfers. 7. Agreement to Provide Pharmaceutical Services between Independent Health Services, Inc. d/b/a IHS Pharmacy and Shelby County for medication and pharmacy services to the Shelby County Jail. 8. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Execute the Intergovernmental Agreements between Shelby County and all municipalities within the county which consists of the City of Center, City of Huxley, City of Joaquin, City of Tenaha, and the City of Timpson to participate in the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
June 21, 2022 - Flat Fork Water Supply water consumer confidence report for January 1 to December 31, 2021 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 20, 2022 - The Center Fire Department responded to a fire at the Omni Epic Facility located just south of Loop 500 and State Highway 87 South on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Many witnesses to the scene and those traveling on State Highway 87 witnessed smoke billowing from the facility as they drove past.
According to the Center Fire Department, at 2:46pm the call came in and when the firefighters arrived there was heavy smoke emanating from the building and it was determined there was a fire in one of the main boilers.
The majority of the fire had been extinguished by facility personnel previous to the arrival of firefighters.
Once it was determined the fire was completely extinguished, the firefighters left the scene and returned to the station at 3:45pm.
June 20, 2022 - Over the week of June 13-19 the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department received 6 calls. Here is a brief breakdown of all that transpired.
Starting on Monday, June 13 at 11:37pm a call came in about a diabetic patient not feeling well. The JVFD EMR team responded to check them out.
Wednesday, June 15th a call was received at 6:44pm but was later cancelled.
Friday, June 17th saw 3 calls, 2 of which were cancelled shortly after being received. The third call came in at 11:31pm in regards to a female knocked unconscious at a residence near Childress Street. EMRs responded to check out the patient.
The final call for the week came in on Saturday, June 18th at 3:43pm for a brush fire behind a residence on CR 3001.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department also monitored a control burn on a house on Connells Ferry Road early Saturday morning.
At this time The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind our readers of our Multi-item Raffle Fundraiser we are currently running. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $20 each or 6 tickets for $100. Every ticket purchase is a chance toward several great prizes including:
• a Savage Model 110 Hog Hunter Rifle in .308 Win with a 3x9 Burris Scope
• a Henry .22 Lever Action Rifle with engraved JVFD logo and “Do it for 524” on the stock
• a Sccy Arms Concealed Carry Pistol in 9mm (Turquoise in Color)
• a Henry Big Boy Lever Action Rifle in 45 Long Colt
• and a 2 man box deer stand
Drawing for the winners will be held July 4th at the Riverfront in Logansport, Louisiana. Persons entered in the drawing do not have to be present to win.
This concludes the report for the week, so with that the Joaquin VFD hopes everyone has a safe and great week.
Pages
