The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
August 26, 2026 - Shannon Metcalf, Commissioner Precinct 2, announces that a portion of CR 2799 near FM 2427 will be closed for culvert installation on Monday, August 31, 2026, until completion on Tuesday, September 1.
Anyone traveling this area is encouraged to use an alternate route until the project is finished.
August 25, 2026 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, has announced that County Road 1490 will be closed Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 7am until 3pm for repairs.
The section of road that is affected between Huana Creek and County Road 1443
Travelers are encouraged to please use an alternate route until the work has been completed.
Shelby County District Attorney vehicle in the S.A. Jail parking lot.
August 24, 2026 - Three Shelby County jailers and a deputy have been arrested following an investigation into the in-custody death of Jamie Perry on July 19, 2026.
All surrendered to the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Department at the John W. Mitchell Law Enforcement Center on Monday, August 24, 2026, on varying charges.
This follows a Texas Ranger investigation led by Ranger Jim Hicks into the death of Perry while in custody at the Shelby County Jail and a special grand jury that was held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Shelby County jailers Jayne Michelle Scharnberg, 47, of Shelbyville has been charged with manslaughter, felony 2, $45,000 bond; tampering with government record, state jail felony, $10,000 bond; official oppression, misdemeanor a, $5,000 bond; and violation of civil rights of person in custody, felony 3, $35,000 bond. Phillip Lee Youngblood, Jr., 49, of Center has been charged with manslaughter, felony 2, $45,000 bond; tampering with government record, state jail felony, $10,000 bond; official oppression, misdemeanor a, $5,000 bond; and violation of civil rights of person in custody, felony 3, $35,000 bond. Andrew Jadon Valadez, 23, of Center has been charged with manslaughter, felony 2, $45,000 bond; tampering with government record, state jail felony, $10,000 bond; official oppression, misdemeanor a, $5,000 bond; and violation of civil rights of person in custody, felony 3, $35,000 bond.
Shelby County Deputy Angela Kay Neal, 44, has been charged with official oppression, $5,000 bond; aggravated perjury, $35,000 bond; and tampering with a government document, $10,000 bond.
All had preset bond amounts and were arraigned by Magistrate J.D. Miller, San Augustine County Justice of the Peace, Precent 4.
As additional information becomes available it will be updated.
Related Article: Sheriff's Department Confirms In-Custody Death (Update - July 21)
August 24, 2026 - Hot conditions continue with a Heat Advisory in effect for most of the region. Afternoon high temperatures will range from the upper 90s to near 104. Heat index values will range from 105-110 degrees. Continue to prioritize heat safety when spending time outdoors!
Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible later today into the evening hours, mainly across portions southern AR and northern LA. Damaging wind gusts will be the main threat along with flash and urban flooding potential.
Scattered thunderstorms will be possible today, mainly across South Central Arkansas and portions of Northeast Louisiana. This could help to temper temperatures across these regions. Otherwise the oppressive heat will continue.
The prolonged heat wave shows no signs of giving way as flash drought conditions continue across the entire Four State Region. As a result, much of the region is under a Burn Ban at this time. The wildfire threat will continue.
With oppressive heat expected to continue through much of this week, remember these heat safety tips.
August 22, 2026 - Shelby County Sheriff’s Department responded to a possible aggravated kidnapping call at the car wash in Tenaha Thursday night, August 20, 2026.
A call was made to the Sheriff's Office at 11pm from a juvenile female reporting her stepmother and her father were at the car wash when two men pulled up in a black truck, discharged a firearm, and then took the stepmother.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to the 9 1 1 call looking for the black truck which left the scene traveling southbound on US Hwy 96 towards Center with two men and a female inside.
Sheriff Deputies responded and secured the scene along with any evidence. Sheriff’s Department Investigator Micah Buzbee began interviewing witnesses and communicating with area law enforcement from Center and Nacogdoches who were also assisting with locating the allegedly kidnapped individual.
Law enforcement was able to located the stepmother and she stated she had left the car wash willingly and stated the firearm had been fired in self-defense.
Shelby County Criminal Investigative Division and Tenaha Police Chief Michael Davidson are working together as the investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been filed at the time of this report.
August 21, 2026 - Severe thunderstorm watch outline update for WS 611 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 3:25pm CDT Fri Aug 21 2026.
Severe thunderstorm watch 611 is in effect until 9pm CDT For the following locations
Texas counties included are: Angelina, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler.
August 21, 2026 - Hot conditions to continue with an Extreme Heat Warning in effect for portions of East Texas, Northwest Louisiana, and South Arkansas today. A Heat Advisory remains in effect elsewhere across the ArkLaTex.
A few storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts will be possible across portions of Northeast Texas and north Louisiana later today.
The Heat Wave shows no signs of giving way as flash drought conditions continue across the entire Four State Region. As a result, much of the region is under a Burn Ban at this time. The wildfire threat will continue.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms expected this afternoon and evening with highs continuing to range from near 100 to near 105 degrees with higher heat index values.
Extreme Heat Warning Until 9pm Today
Heat Advisory Until 8pm Saturday
The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued a Extreme Heat Warning at 11:21am on Friday, August 21, 2026. The Heat Advisory in effect from 9pm this evening to 8pm Saturday and the Extreme Heat warning remains in effect until 9pm this evening.
For the Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 113. For the Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 112 expected for portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, and east and northeast Texas.
For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 9 PM CDT this evening. For the Heat Advisory, from 9 PM this evening to 8 PM CDT Saturday.
Impact:
Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Precautionary / Preparedness Actions:
- Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
- Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
- To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
- Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
August 21, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Flat Fork Water Supply Corp. public water system, TX2100007, to issue a Boil Water Notice on August 18, 2026 for CR 4293, North of CR 4310 and South of CR 4415 and 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 August 21, 2026.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Elise Neuwirth at 936-590-6451.
August 18, 2026 - Due to a water leak and low water pressure on CR 4293, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Flat Fork Water Supply Corporation public water system, TX2100007, to notify all customers on CR 4293 North of CR 4310 and South of CR 4415 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 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 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 Elise Neuwirth at 936-590-6451.
August 20, 2026 - State Highway 7 (SH7) West just east of CR 1165 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning, August 19, 2026.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Cpl. Dustin Ramos, at 7:52am DPS Troopers were dispatched to the crash in reference to a vehicle off the roadway in the bushes. Upon arrival it was found to be a 2018 Honda passenger car driven by Heather Cassell, 20, of Center was westbound on SH7 when she discovered an insect on her leg and failed to drive in a single lane to the right, driving into the trees.
Cassell was transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for possible injury and she was cited for fail to drive in a single lane.
Center Fire Department and West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department responded to assist at the scene, as well as Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
The car was towed from the scene by Hughes Wrecker Service.
Cpl. Ramos was assisted by Trooper Matt Chandler.
August 19, 2026 - State Highway 7 West (SH7) was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident near FM 711 on August 18, 2026, at approximately 3:30pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Ashley Hughes, a traffic stop was being initiated by Trooper Hughes on a grey 2021 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Ava Silva, 21, of San Augustine which was traveling eastbound on SH7 West. At that time, Silva attempted to change lanes when unsafe in front of a white 2017 Kia Forte driven by Crystal Forbes, 62, of Shelbyville and caused the vehicles to collide.
The Kia came to rest in the eastbound ditch and the Chevrolet came to rest in the inside eastbound traffic lane.
Forbes and her passenger Frankie Slaight, 65, of Shelbyville were transported to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
Silva was issued a citation for change lanes when unsafe.
Multiple units with DPS were on scene to assist with the investigation and traffic control, as well as units with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Center Fire Department and West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department.
Pages
