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May 21, 2022 - A guardrail located near CR 4350 on U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of two separate crashes involving the same guardrail on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at just before 6am a Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy who was traveling south on U.S. Highway 96 discovered a crash which occurred just previous to his arrival.

The DPS investigation determined a tan 2011 GMC pickup truck driven by Shannon Spruiell, 55, of Joaquin was southbound when the driver believes he fell asleep and traveled across the roadway where he struck a mailbox and a guardrail before coming to rest in the roadway. Emergency personnel helped move the vehicle out of the roadway so traffic could flow.

Spruiell refused treatment from emergency medical services personnel.

He was issued a citation for wrong side of road not passing. The truck was towed from the scene.

As the crash was being assessed, a second crash occurred. According to Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones a silver 2014 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Cedric Lamon Mosley, 25, was northbound on U.S. 96 when the Malibu struck damaged guardrail which was in the roadway from the previous crash.

Mosley was not reported to have been injured and no citations were issued at the time of the crash.

Assisting at the scene with traffic control were Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies and Center Fire Department personnel.

May 21, 2022 - U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Monday, May 16, 2022.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 9:05pm a white 2017 Kia Forte driven by Jamarria Lynnette Thompson, 19, of Garrison was southbound on U.S. Highway 59 North and attempted to make a left turn onto State Highway 87.

At that time a red 2014 Ford Mustang driven by Whitney Laine Ramsey, 24, of Timpson was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 when the Kia failed to yield right of way to the Ford which then collided with the Kia.

Thompson and her passenger Ashanti Page, 19, were transported by ambulance service to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.

Ramsey was transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches.

Thompson was issued a citation for fail to yield right of way on green signal.

The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department assisted with traffic control and assisted emergency medical services with with their patients.

Also assisted at the scene were units with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

May 20, 2022 - Shelby County will have an online survey from May 19th to June 2nd, in order to gather information for their Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Shelby County and the participating jurisdictions encourage residents to take the survey online. The survey’s goal is to record public input for the plan draft. Discussion will include identifying natural hazards and hazard-related challenges facing the County in order to begin developing a plan to preserve strengths, resolve weaknesses, and meet future mitigation goals.

If there are any questions about the plan or survey, please call the County at 936-598-3863.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/HJYoFdsofRhhmJyS8

May 19, 2022 - State Highway 7 East at Flat Fork Creek was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Monday, May 16, 2022.

Emergency personnel was dispatched to the scene of the incident. When the Texas Department of Public Safety and Shelby County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene a vehicle was sitting partially in the eastbound traffic lane.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 8:30am a red 2015 Jeep driven by Sierra Harvey, 18, of Center was westbound when Harvey reached down for her watch and failed to drive in a single lane to the right and struck a guard rail.

Harvey was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches and she was cited for failure to drive in a single lane.

The Jeep was towed from the scene.

May 19, 2022 - The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.

On May 13, 2022, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, 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.

N.E.W. Water Supply 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. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of May 19, 2022.

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.


May 13, 2022Effective May 13, 2022 Until further notice

Due to a low chlorine residual at Plant 3, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS #2030034 to notify all customers on FM 1992, FM 1277,  the Norwood  and Goodwin Communities  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. 

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 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 N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

May 18, 2022 - U.S. Highway 59 through Timpson at the intersection of Bremond Street was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Sunday, May 15, 2022..

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 1:50pm a white 2007 Ford Expedition driven by a 16-year-old passenger was stopped at a stop sign on Bremond Street.

At that time a white 2019 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Arthur Martin Handsel, 61, of Montgomery with passenger Loraine Williams Handsel, 62, was southbound on U.S. 59 when the Expedition failed to yield right of way at the stop sign and pulled into the path of the Dodge causing it to strike the Expedition.

The passenger of the Expedition Hunter Tipton, 18, of Timpson was transported by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for medical evaluation.

Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel responded and assisted at the scene.

Gary and Julie RholesMay 18, 2022 - Gary Rholes, Shelby County Attorney, has announced he will be resigning from his office July 4, 2022 (Independence Day).

Rholes has been in the position of County Attorney since August 28, 1985, when he was first appointed. He won the election November 1986 during the general election retaining the position.

The County Judge who was in office when Rholes first took his office was Johnie Johnson. He has served in his capacity as County Attorney during the terms of six County Judges including Johnie Johnson, Glendon Jackson, Floyd "Dock" Watson, John Tomlin, Rick Campbell, and Allison Harbison.

As County Attorney, one of his greatest pleasures has been to collect and distribute toys for the County Attorney Toy Drive during the holidays.

Gary extends his appreciation to the voters for all of their support over the years.

May 16, 2022 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Sunday, May 15, 2022, just under nine miles from Center.

West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department fire personnel responded to the scene to come to the aid of those involved and help clear the roadway.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a white 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by Dekylin Kendray Hoyt, 19, of Center was westbound on State Highway 7 West when it struck a tree that was across the roadway. 

Following the collission Hoyt was able to keep the Jeep under control and brought it to a stop on the side of the roadway.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Hoyt was issued a citation for no driver's license.

May 16, 2022 - (Photo Album) - The 43nd Annual Take a Kid Fishing Tournament was held May 7, 2022 at Huxley Bay Marina. According to Larry Pierce, the tournament had 350 participants registered.

A drawing was held during the awards ceremony for tickets to Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. The winner was announced to be Jerry Lawhorn.

The winners of the 43rd Annual TAKF fishing were then announced and awarded.

Tournament Results

Overall Winners:
Largest Single Bream: Sariya Solomon (.56 lbs)
Sariya Solomon (2.35 lbs)

Age Group 3-5
Largest Single Bream by Weight - Kynleigh Lee (.50 lbs)
Smallest Fish by Length - Alaina Roberts (5 cm)
Heaviest String by Weight - Kynleigh Lee (1.94 lbs)

Age Group 6-10
Largest Single Bream by Weight - Sariya Solomon (.56 lbs)
Smallest Fish by Length - Lucas Jackson (4.7 cm) 
Heaviest String by Weight - Sariya Solomon (2.35 lbs)

Age Group 11-15
Largest Single Bream by Weight - Kelsey Bridges (.49 lbs)
Smallest Fish by Length - Kenneth Burns (7 cm)
Heaviest String by Weight - Kelsey Bridges (2.05 lbs)

May 16, 2022 - The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.

On May 12, 2022, 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 May 16, 2022.

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.


May 12, 2022 - Due to electrical issues at the Butts Plant,  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notify Customers on FM 1277, Butts Addition, Whippoorwill, FM 711, Hwy 96 N, and 21 W 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.

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