The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
June 17, 2024 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina Sabine Ranger District will be conducting a controlled burn today.
The 815 acres burn will be by hand and will begin at 10am June 17, 2024 in the Hawthorne area of Sabine National National Forest, Block A, Compartment 51 in Sabine County. Winds are out of the southeast and drift smoke may be noticeable in Shelbyville. The estimated completed time is 6pm.
Smoke will impact areas around the prescribed burn, and long-range drift smoke may be present during and after ignition operations.
Please drive with caution. Ground personnel will be operating in the area and smoke may impact visibility on local roads and highways near the burn unit.
U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn Tracker:
Southern Region Prescribed Burn Accomplishment Tracker (arcgis.com)
Click image to view Portacool video statement
June 17, 2024 - A year has passed since fire broke out at Portacool's Manufacturing plant and firefighters from all over the county came together to try to extinguish the flames. Portacool did not give in to the catastrophic event and released the following statement regarding the company's journey over the past year.
Statement from Portacool
Twelve months ago, we watched our company burn to ashes. While we watched 30 years of history go up in flames, we also witnessed the beginning of the new Portacool. While devastated, we were not defeated! The courage, the guts, and the fight that this team displayed are beyond belief. This team never wavered, never complained, yet only found ways to do more. We moved with tremendous speed and precision, making decisions without hesitation or fear of failure. With a shared goal, we were able to recover in weeks and rebuild in months. One year later, we stand together and remain the heavyweight champion of portable cooling, or as we will say, at the Apex!
"To this team, words cannot express my appreciation and admiration for what we have accomplished. Your courage and passion are beyond comprehension, and I can only say one more time, Thank You and God Bless!" - Ben Wulf, CEO
Related Article: Firefighters Working to Extinguish Portacool Fire; Statement from Company
June 17, 2024 - (Update: 2:30pm) - The line repair has been completed by City utility personnel and flushed to ensure contaminated water is purged. The estimated water lost due to this leak is in excess of one million gallons. Returning this line into service allows water to be pumped from the Aiken water treatment plant at Lake Pinkston to the million gallon, McSwain Hill storage tank on Hwy 7, which controls the normal operating pressure of the water system. As that tank begins filling, customers that experienced decreased pressures should notice gradual increase through the evening and overnight hours.
Because of the prompt staff response, isolation of the damaged pipe section, and operation of the Mill Creek water plant, the system was able to remain in condition such that a boil water notice was not necessary. Please continue to refrain from any excessive or unnecessary water use this afternoon to allow storage tanks to refill and your water system to return to normal operating conditions.
Sunday evening, June 16, the City’s primary 18” water supply line to town from Lake Pinkston experienced a significant failure. Crews have been working to affect the repairs overnight and continue this morning. As use increases, water availability will continue to decline reducing system pressure.
The City’s system is operating entirely on the Old City Lake/Mill Creek water treatment plant. As soon as repairs can be completed, water will begin restoring system operations to normal within twelve to twenty-four hours.
You can help by reducing any excess use. Please do not use any water unnecessarily and especially not for outdoor use.
June 14, 2024 - Law-enforcement officials went on high alert when an inmate from the Shelby County jail escaped Thursday evening at around 6pm.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department shared, "Sheriff Kevin Windham reports the escape of Torin McSwain on Thursday, June 13. McSwain was caught by correctional officers within 10 minutes of his escape. He was treated for injuries he sustained during his escape, and returned to the Shelby County Jail."
The inmate was apprehended on Nacogdoches Street in Center, and from there was then transported to the Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for medical evaluation.
Assisting in the short search was the Center Police Department and Texas Departments of Public Safety State Troopers.
June 14, 2024 - The John Harris Community Fund held at East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) in Tyler, Texas, will be accepting grant applications now through 5pm Thursday, July 15, 2024.
“John Reagan Harris was a generous benefactor, giving both his time and his resources to many groups and worthy causes in and around Center,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation.
John Reagan Harris was devoted to the Center, Texas, community, his church, and education. The John Harris Community Fund was established to support worthy civic, religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational projects which benefit the Center, Texas, community. Applicants must be tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or a governmental unit. The grant committee encourages requests not to exceed $10,000. There is no minimum for a request. Recipients will be announced in August. Applications must be submitted electronically by visiting the nonprofits tab at www.etcf.org.
About ETCF.org
East Texas East Texas Communities Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving 32 counties in East Texas. The Foundation distributed $13.7 million in grants in 2023 and currently manages over $130 million in over 501 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The Foundation, which was formed in 1989, has awarded over $138 million in grants and scholarships since its inception. Philanthropy builds community and changes lives. East Texas Communities Foundation supports philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their charitable goals.
Customers on CR 1095, Center, Texas
June 14, 2024 - Due to a broken water line, on June 5, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the McClelland Water Supply Corporation, TX 2100011, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals, or employees ON CR 1095, Center TX, 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 June 14, 2024
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Renita Hudman at McClelland Water Supply, 936-598-9781.
June 5, 2024 - Due to a broken water line on June 4, 2024 through June 5, 2024, caused by heavy rainfall, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the McClelland Water system to notify customers on CR 1095, Center TX, 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 Renita Hudman at 936-598-9781
June 14, 2024 - (Update - 4:39pm): Commissioner Smith states the roadway is now open.
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, announces that County Road 3199 and Carroll Street will be closed today June 14, 2024, to thru traffic while crews install a water main tap.
The road will be re-opened as soon as work is completed.
June 12, 2024 - The intersection of Hurst Street and Wheeler Avenue in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash on June 5, 2024.
According to the Center police Department, at 11:23am the intersection of Hurst Street and Wheeler Avenue was the location of a two-vehicle crash. Due to a recent power outage, the traffic light was out at Hurst Street and Wheeler Avenue, and drivers were treating it as a four-way-stop.
A silver 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Sean Nixon, 25, of Singer, LA was northbound on Hurst Street and a 2010 Chrysler minivan driven by Ozzlynn Langford, 31, of Center was westbound on Wheeler Avenue and had stopped at the intersection. As the Chrysler entered the intersection, the Chevy failed to yield right of way and collided with the Chrysler leaving both vehicles in the middle of the roadway.
Nixon, Langford and her minor passengers were not reported to have been injured due to the crash.
Both vehicles were towed from the scene and no citations were issued.
The incident was investigated by Center Police Officers Bobby Hudnall and Micah Buzbee.
June 11, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners’ Court met June 5, 2024, and declared June 10, 2024 - June 16, 2024, as Men’s Health Week in Shelby County.
Men's Health Month began in 1994 with the Congressional passage of Men's Health Week, sponsored by Senator Bob Dole (KS) and Congressman Bill Richardson (NM). Men's Health Week was signed by President Clinton, and became Public Law 103-264 on May 31, 1994.
The proclamation reads as follows:
Whereas Men's Health Month is part of an ongoing international effort to educate men, boys, and their families about receiving regular disease prevention screenings and living healthier life styles; and
Whereas Nationwide, life expectancy for men averages five years fewer than that of women, with men experiencing higher rates of health problems such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and premature mortality; and,
Whereas The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on men's health in the United States, dropping men's life expectancy by two years; and,
Whereas Men's Health Month is a time for the public to recognize the mental and physical health needs of men and boys while encouraging fathers to be role models for their children through preventive health screening, healthy living and seeking needed help; and
Whereas The growing epidemic of suicide and substance abuse requires special effort to raise awareness of unrecognized and undiagnosed depression and mental stress in boys and men; and
Whereas The centerpiece of Men's Health Month is National Men's Health Week, a special awareness period passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 31, 1994.
Now, therefore be it resolved that we, the Commissioners Court of Shelby County, do hereby proclaim the week of June 10 through June 16 as Men's Health Week in Shelby County.
The commissioners considered the proclamation and Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, moved to approve the proclamation and Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 2, seconded the motion.
When the commissioners considered the payment of weekly expenses Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, indicated there were two bills not included because she didn’t know from where the funds were to be paid from.
The expenses were for the new Precinct 3 barn and she said she was awaiting clarification from the GrantWorks representative, Jessica Johnstone, on how to pay for the expenses. one bill was from Darrell Alford for welding in the amount of $728 and plumbing supplies from Borders Poultry Supply in the amount of $1628.78.
The commissioners moved to approve the weekly expenses with the inclusion of the two additional Blackwell informed them about with Commissioner Smith moving to pay the bills and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer seconding the motion. The motion carried.
Nancy Adams, Elections Administrator, updated the court on the recent runoff election stating that it went pretty well. Judge Allison Harbison inquired if anyone lost electricity during the day while the runoff was ongoing and Adams confirmed a location in Shelbyville lost power for a couple of hours, but the machines have a battery backup that runs for around four hours, and the power returned before that power was depleted.
Judge Harbison remarked that out of 16,087 registered voters 1,953 voted to which Adams commented was sad and Judge Harbison agreed it was not good.
the meeting was adjourned at 9:46am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Approve and pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Adopt a Proclamation declaring June 10th – June 16th as Men’s Health Week in Shelby County. 4. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Donation of a 2017 Dodge Truck for Constable Pct. 5. 2. Estimate for the additions to the 2017 Dodge Truck.
June 11, 2024 - The Center Police Department confirms a shooting incident which took place Tuesday, June 4, 2024, on Riggs Street in Center.
According to the Center Police Department, at 9:29pm officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of Riggs Street in reference to a report from the resident who awoke to find somebody stealing something out of his yard, and that he subsequently shot the suspect.
Copied from SCT without permission.
With the extent of injuries being unknown, officers and EMS responded and arrived by 9:32pm, they found a 59-year-old male approximately 100 yards from the back yard of the reported residence with gunshot wounds to his lower legs, from the knees down. The man who was shot was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment and then to a Tyler hospital.
The resident, a 66-year-old male, was released to EMS due to a medical emergency he was experiencing.
Copied from SCT without permission.
This incident is still pending investigation.
Pages
