The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
October 22, 2025 - It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow Shelby County Today announces the passing of sports writer, Ronny Samford, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
Ronny started working with SCT in December of 2015 with the covering of Tenaha's Holiday Hoops. He has been covering the youth of Shelby County since March of 2010 starting with Timpson & Tenaha News where he worked for his Aunt Hilda Pena.
He had a true love of the game. In an article Ronny shared, "I’ve never enjoyed a job more than covering our Shelby County kids participating on the fields and courts of competition."
Please keep Ronny's family and friends in your prayers. To view his obituary with service information, click here.
Ronny has been a blessing to Shelby County Today and he will be greatly missed.
J.J. Ford, Scott Flowers, and Cindy Eubank
October 18, 2025 - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 18 at 10:11pm until October 18 at 11pm by NWS Shreveport LA.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana... West Central Natchitoches Parish in northwestern Louisiana... Northern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana... Northeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas... until 11pm.
At 10:11pm, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles west of Converse, or 18 miles southwest of Mansfield, moving southeast at 40 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and small hail. Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include... Many, Zwolle, Converse, Allen, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill, Huxley, Noble, Robeline, Stanley, Belmont, Pelican, Marthaville, Toledo Bend Reservoir North and Ajax.
Instructions: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 11pm for portions of northwest Louisiana and northeast Texas.
October 18, 2025 - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 18 at 8:13pm until October 18 at 9:15pm by NWS Shreveport.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana... Northeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas... Southern Panola County in northeastern Texas... until 9:15pm.
At 8:13pm, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest of Carthage, moving east at 35 mph.
Radar indicated ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include... Carthage, Logansport, Tenaha, Joaquin, Gary City, Longstreet, Woods and Paxton.
Instructions: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for portions of northwest Louisiana and northeast Texas.
October 18, 2025 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the City of Huxley public water system, PWS ID# 2100019, to issue a Boil Water Notice on October 16th, 2025 for any customers without water on FM139 & FM 2694 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.
The public water system 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 October 18th, 2025.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Huxley Water Treatment Plant at (936)368-2633 or Justin Merritt at (936)368-2266.
October 16, 2025 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required The City of Huxley public water system (PWS) ID# 2100019 to notify all City of Huxley water customers that were without water 10/16/2025 on FM 139 and FM 2694 to boil their water, prior to consumption (e.g., 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 rescind 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 this 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 Kevin Jacobs at (936) 368-2377 or Justin Merritt at (936) 368-2266.
October 18, 2025 (4:25pm) - At 4:16pm, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles north of Joaquin, or 14 miles east of Carthage, moving east at 40 mph.
October 18, 2025 - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 18 at 4pm until October 18 at 4:45pm by NWS Shreveport LA.
At 4pm, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles north of Tenaha, or 9 miles southeast of Carthage, moving east at 40 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include... Carthage, Tenaha, Joaquin, Gary City, Woods, Deadwood, Paxton, Front and Midyett.
Instructions: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
Weather Warning Includes Severe Thunderstorm 7 Miles Northwest of Timpson
October 18, 2025 - At 3:38pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025, the National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northwestern Shelby County in eastern Texas... Southern Panola County in northeastern Texas... Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas... until 4:45pm.
At 3:38pm, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles northwest of Timpson, or 15 miles southwest of Carthage, moving east at 40 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include: Carthage, Tenaha, Timpson, Joaquin, Gary City, Woods, Paxton, Deadwood, Front, Midyett and Dotson.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 9pm Saturday for a portion of northeast Texas.
October 18, 2025 - A strong thunderstorm will impact southwestern De Soto and northwestern Sabine Parishes and Shelby County until 4:15pm.
At 3:29pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Center, moving northeast at 35 mph.
Hazard: Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include: Center, Logansport, Joaquin, Shelbyville, Huxley, Stanley, James and Jericho.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening weather conditions.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
October 18, 2025 - The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Norman, Oklahoma issued a Tornado Watch Outline update for WT 624 at 1:20pm Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The tornado watch 645 is in effect until 9pm for the following Texas Counties: Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur, and Wood.
October 15, 2025 - City of Center crews will be working on water main at the intersection of Wheeler Street and Hurst Street on Friday, October 17, 2025. Please use caution when traveling through the work area. Customers may experience low water pressure until repairs are finished. If you experience an outage, contact City of Center 1-936-598-2941.
October 16, 2025 - Center Fire Department personnel responded to a structure fire in the 2500 block of U.S. Highway 96 North near CR 4350 on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at around 3am.
When firefighters arrived, one building was on fire and threatening another building next to it. The other structure was also then discovered to be on fire at the back of the building.
Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the location for mutual aid, and once the fires were extinguished and brought under control. Center Fire Department returned to the station at 7am.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel responded to the scene to determine if the State Fire Marshal’s Office would be contacted for further investigation.
The fire remains under investigation as of the time of this report.
October 16, 2025 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on Ballard Street in Center in the 1200 block of Ballard Street on October 11, 2025.
When firefighters and Center Police Officers arrived at the scene, ammunition could be heard igniting from the flames within the structure.
According to Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, Center Fire Department firefighters responded to the fire at a residence at 5:40pm. When fire personnel arrived at the scene, they found a shed on the property to be on fire and getting into the house that it sat beside.
The firefighters worked to extinguish the shed and one end of the house, saving the rest of the home. Fire personnel returned to the station at 7:20pm.
A cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.
October 15, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners agreed to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month during their October 8, 2025 meeting.
Lizett Mendoza with Family Crisis Center of East Texas spoke with the commissioners about the agency providing free services to Shelby County and surrounding areas.
“Some of the main services that we have, we have a 24-hour shelter and hotline in Angelina County,” said Mendoza. “We also provide legal services, helping them attain custody orders, protection orders, divorces, because all of these are very essential towards leaving a domestic violence situation and restarting fresh.”
Other services Mendoza outlined that the agency offers include support in applying for housing, helping relocate to a different city, or county, and applying for different government benefits, such as crime victims compensation, address of confidentiality program, child support, and anything a domestic violence survivor may be needing to get back on their feet.
Mendoza said they offer counseling services and that there is a Family Crisis Center office in San Augustine.
“We really just meet them wherever they are if they're having trouble in transportation. We try to meet them somewhere public,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza said they travel as far as Timpson, Tenaha, and Joaquin to provide assistance.
“More than anything, we're a support system because a lot of times they may feel embarrassed to talk to their family members, to co-workers. So just to be able to talk to someone to a third party that isn't going to make them feel judged makes a world of difference,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza thanked Shelby County, because every time the Family Crisis Center has asked for support, and either an awareness event or resolution, she said the county has always shown that support.
County Judge Allison Harbison referenced data included in the resolution stating that in 2024 43% of survivors reported stalking behaviors, 76% of women that are murdered by their current or former intimate partner reported being stalked in the year prior to their death.
“Getting help when their feeling like they're alone and someone’s stalking them could possibly save their life and I
think that's very good,” said Judge Harbison. “Everybody needs somebody to talk to besides their family because, as you said, their family may not understand or they may be embarrassed so I think that what y'all do is a great thing.”
The commissioners moved to approve the resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Shelby County with Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, making the motion and Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, seconding his motion, which carried.
The commissioners approved an increase to the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the upkeep on the flood control structures in the County as presented by Terry Allen, SWCD board member, from $10,000 to $12,500.
“We have numerous flood control structures, and these structures were built in 50s and 60s, and so they're getting some age on them and the upkeep on it is costing more each year,” said Allen. “Last year we spent approximately $40,000 on the upkeep of these structures, primarily one structure due to some erosion and some fencing.”
Allen shared that there is a structure in Timpson for which the last bid in 2024 had an estimated cost for repair of $335,881. He also said the SWCD is in the process of applying for an emergency grant with the Texas State Soil Conservation Board to help pay for the repairs to the structure.
“It's a highly competitive process and hopefully we will be successful in attaining. We also work in close conjunction with the [Natural Resources Conservation Service] and fortunately Chris Crenshaw, who represents our county is an excellent representative,” said Allen. “Now he's gotten, since 2020, a little over $5,200,000 upkeep on Shelby County roads and landowner assistance for such things as tree planting, cross-fencing, grass planting, poultry carcass disposal, waterline distribution to livestock.”
Allen stated that the SWCD was asking for assistance from Shelby County to help on the repair projects they are working on and he reminded the commissioners that in the past they have contributed about $10,000 and they were requesting the increase to $12,500.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to increase the funding to the SWCD to $12,500 and Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion, which then carried.
Sheriff Gerald Corbell thanked the commissioners, and other involved departments, for their efforts on the Sheriff’s Office’s behalf that half gone into the 2026 Fiscal Year budget.
The meeting adjourned at 9:58am.
Agenda items approve during the meeting include: 1. Approve the Minutes of: September 3rd, 2025 Special Meeting, September 10th, 2025 Regular Meeting, September 17th, Special Meeting, September 17th, Public Hearing, September 24th, Special Meeting and September 30th Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Approve Officers report. 5. Resolution proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Shelby County. 6. $12,500 for the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District for the upkeep on the flood control structures in the County as presented by Members of the Board. 7. Adjourn 9:58am.
Pages
