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May 25, 2020 - Significant Weather Advisory for Southwestern De Soto and Northwestern Sabine Parishes, Eastern Shelby, Northeastern San Augustine and Northwestern Sabine Counties until 6:30pm.
At 5:28pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over San Augustine, or 20 miles south of Center, moving northeast at 25
mph.
Half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
San Augustine, Converse, Bland Lake, Patroon, Huxley, Stanley, Hurstown, Sexton, Calgary, Toledo Bend Reservoir North and Jordans Store.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
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.
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.
Fire personnel are seen in the above photo gaining access to property as they attempted to locate the crashed plane.
May 21, 2020 - A wooded area near the Center Municipal Airport was the location where Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and Center Fire Department firemen were dispatched to when it was reported a plane had taken a nose dive and crashed just before 4:40pm Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Authorities were feverishly searching a property just behind the woods and after a short time it was determined the plane was not located in the open field and the attention of fire personnel, law enforcement and EMS was quickly turned to the wooded area.
Searchers traveled in several directions as the search began.
Once inside the woods, directly behind Watson and Sons Funeral Home, the plane was located around 100 yards from the treeline where the majority of searchers had entered on the south-eastern side of the property.
Fire personnel worked painstakingly under the direction of Texas Department of Public Safety to extricate the members of the party within the airplane, and when it was determined the remainder of the efforts required the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) the operation was put on hold until those officials could arrive and continue their investigation.
Neighbors to the crash site were quick to offer help to all the first responders in the area, including allowing access to their property.
Several law enforcement agencies joined in the search for the location of the plane which crashed near the Center Municipal Airport.
Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, pronounced the pilot and passenger at the scene of the crash and they were identified as John D. Scull, 73, and Carolyn Hooker Scull, 81.
At this time the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Update: The plane crash that occurred yesterday has resulted in the deaths of two Tenaha residents. The pilot is identified as 73-year-old John D. Scull and the passenger has also been identified as 81-year-old Carolyn Hooker Scull.
Update: The investigation of the plane crash continued Thursday, May 21 with FAA and NTSB on scene along with local authories. Shelby County Justice of the Peace Pct 1 Donna Hughes preformed the inquest and confirmed the crash resulted in two fatalities, a male and a female.
JP Hughes expressed her thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.
Additional information is anticipated today from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
May 20, 2020 - Authorities are currently investigating a small plane crash that occurred at 4:40pm Wednesday, May 20, 2020 behind Watson and Sons Funeral Home located off State Highway 7 east of Center. The Center FD is on scene assisting law enforcement.
According to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers responded this afternoon to a report of a plane crash in Shelby County.
The preliminary information indicates at approximately 4:40p.m., DPS Troopers along with other first responders located the crash site, just south of the Center Municipal Airport. At this time details surrounding the cause of the crash and the identity of the occupant or occupants is not immediately available.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified to conduct the investigation.
May 20, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 10am Wednesday, May 20, 2020, TxDSHS has reported to them 183 cumulative cases of COVID-19, 52 recoveries, and 5 deaths for a total of 126 active cases.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages: (New cases since last report from May 18)
Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 132 (3 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 8 (1 new)
Shelbyville (75973) - 11 (1 new)
Tenaha (75974) - 18 (1 new)
Timpson (75975) - 14 (1 new)
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20 - 9 cases (2 new)
Ages 21 to 40 - 57 cases (5 new)
Ages 41 to 60 - 69 cases, 3 death
Ages 61 to 80 - 35 cases, 2 death
Ages 81 to 100 - 8 cases
Age unknown - 5 cases
May 20, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners discussed and approved the replacement of the roof of the current courthouse with a pitch instead of the current flat build during their meeting held Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
After considering the bids for the roof work, the comissioners approved a bid from Alert Contracting in the amount of $130,500 to do the project.
The company working on the air conditioning in conjunction with the contractor will be Parker Air Conditioning and he projected the work on the units to be four weeks, conservatively.
A motion carried by the commissioners to accept a bid on the Shelby General Hospital property of $150,001. Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, stated the winning bid was by Kelby McCall of Lufkin, Texas under KMJR Properties, LLC. The deed for the property is being processed as well as an owners policy.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer confirmed with Judge Harbison the county has been paid for the property.
"Money's in the bank, we had it by 1 o'clock that day right after lunch," said Judge Harbison. "They assured me that they're going to start cleaning the place up, mowing and tearing down what they can."
Judge Harbison said the Probation office has everything they need of the property and the county can now cut power to the building.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. FY2020 Budget Line Item Transfers. 3. Bid for the Shelby County Courthouse roof of $130,500 from Alert Contracting. 4. Auction bid for the Shelby General Hospital property in the amount of $150,001 to Kelby McCall through KMJR Properties, LLC. 5. Adjourn.
May 19, 2020 - A railroad crossing in Shelby County will be closed Wednesday, May 20th, as crews work to repair and upgrade the road base.
The Union Pacific Railroad crossing on FM 2787 will be closed through the day as concrete and limestone are placed in both lanes on the south side of the tracks. Traffic control will be set near the crossing. Motorists should plan to detour around the work zone on FM 139 or choose alternate routes.
Once work is completed, motorists can expect continued maintenance work in the area for several weeks. A pilot car will in place to guide traffic through the work zones. Motorists should remain alert for signage, workers and moving equipment near this work zone. Obey all traffic control in place and prepare for delays.
For more information on road conditions and closures statewide, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on this project and others in the Lufkin District, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
May 18, 2020 - The Joaquin ISD feeding program pick up day will be changed to Tuesday for next week, May 26th, due to the holiday on Monday. For the month of June, the feeding program will continue to operate on the regularly scheduled pick up day of every Monday from 10:30am until 11:30am.
The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.
May 18, 2020 - On May 11, 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 18, 2020.
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.
Notice to Boil Water Effective May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020 - Due to lightening damage at 2 booster stations, 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.
May 18, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 3pm Friday, May 15, 2020 TxDSHS has reported to them 176 cumulative cases of COVID-19, 43 recoveries, and 5 deaths. Over the weekend an additional 2 cases were report; however, they are not included in the statistics below.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages: (New cases since last report from May 11)
Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 129 (19 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 7 (1 new)
Shelbyville (75973) - 10 (1 new)
Tenaha (75974) - 17 (1 new)
Timpson (75975) - 13
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20 - 7 cases
Ages 21 to 40 - 52 cases (7 new)
Ages 41 to 60 - 69 cases (38 new), 3 death
Ages 61 to 80 - 35 cases (3 new), 2 death
Ages 81 to 100 - 8 cases (1 new)
Age unknown - 5 cases (2 new)
May 16, 2020 - PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protesters have converged on the Tyson facility in Center Saturday, May 16, 2020, and a lot of Shelby County residents, although not protesting, appear to be responding by having a cookout and displaying hunting prizes.
The protesters set up by the Center Police Department parking lot, many donning painter coveralls and wearing masks, and their own Grim Reaper was walking around with a scythe. Megaphones were utilized as the protesters chanted and held signs for those driving by to see.
Several Center Police Department units were observing the ongoing protests outside of their department until their completion.
A group of Shelby County residents began grilling hamburgers and hot dogs near the sidewalk in front of the police department as other residents drove by displaying deer skulls with full racks, and one indidual was even dressed as a bear.
Another man drove all the way from Dallas with a series of signs representing many causes he apparently favors.
The entry to the Tyson facility is currently blocked with several trailers preventing access.
The protesters began their event at 10am and disbursed from the area by 2pm
May 13, 2020 - On May 8, 2020, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required the Shelbyville Water System #2100014 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 our 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 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 13, 2020.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Shelbyville WSC Operator, Gayle Warr at 936-591-5502.
May 8, 2020 - Due to a water main break that has occurred in the water system, the Texas Natural Resource Commission has required the system to notify customers to boil their water prior to consumption, 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. This notification applys to customers that were out of water on or off of 417E.
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.
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, or businesses).
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Gayle Warr at 936-591-5502 or email gaylewarr@icloud.com
This notice was given to customers on Shelbyville Water Supply Corp. ID#2100014, May 8, 2020.
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