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January 6, 2021 - New cases of COVID-19 continue to be reported with 14 new cases overnight and no new recoveries.
The Texas COVID-19 Dashboard reports 7 of the new cases are confirmed cases and 7 are probable cases.
The total active cases increase to 93 and is getting closer to triple digits.
January 6th (4:40pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 682 (7 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 428 (7 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 40
Total Estimated Active Cases - 93
Total Estimated Recovered - 977
January 5, 2021 - Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomed Jason Newman at a Ribbon Cutting for AmeriSpec Inspection Services on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Chamber Office on the historic courthouse square. Newman is the owner of AmeriSpec Inspection Services which is located in Joaquin, Texas.
Deborah Chadwick gave a welcome to Newman, "You are our very first ribbon cutting for 2021, so, congratulations Jason." She then welcomed him to talk about his business.
Newman gave a history of AmeriSpec, "We are a division of Service Master. I don't know if y'all have heard of Service Master, they are a national brand that specializes in cleaning and restoring. Service Master, we are under their umbrella along with Merry Maids and a bunch of other ones. AmeriSpec was founded in 1987. We have over 275 national franchises throughout North America. We have over 2 million inspections to date between everybody." He explained being apart of the network is a great advantage which includes a wealth of knowledge.
Jason conducts comprehensive residential and commercial inspections. Jason is certified and insured. Inspections include exterior and interior, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing and heating systems, room by room reviews and much more. Specialty inspections such as radon, mold, septic systems, carbon monoxide testing, well water quality, irrigation system inspection, water bacteria, sewer scopes etc. are also available.
Newman is excited about becoming a member of the Chamber and is eager to serve in our local community.
January 5, 2021 - After having a surge of cases at the beginning of the year, the Texas COVID-19 Dashboard reports only 2 new cases over the past two days. The lower numbers are a welcomed difference from the 32 new cases disclosed over the first three days of the year.
No new recoveries were reported and the total confirmed cases reduced by one leaving the estimated total active cases to an increase of one for a total of 79.
January 5th (4:00pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 675 (1 less case)
Total Probable Cases - 421 (2 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 40
Total Estimated Active Cases - 79
Total Estimated Recovered - 977
January 4, 2021 - As distribution of the highly anticipated COVID-19 vaccine begins at a rapid pace, Brookshire Brothers Pharmacy is proud to be one of the first retailers in the nation to offer the vaccine, as it becomes available.
To maximize access to COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a governmental partnership with large chain pharmacies and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains – including those in retail and grocery chains – to further increase access to the vaccine across the country — particularly in traditionally underserved areas. Brookshire Brothers is honored to partner with HHS and the states of Texas and Louisiana in offering COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine will be available in a phased approach, with the first doses being offered to healthcare workers and residents of long term healthcare facilities, followed by essential workers and other high risk individuals. It is expected to be available to the general public by spring or early summer of 2021 and will be administered at no cost to patients.
“Ensuring access and affordability of the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans is a top priority for the Trump Administration,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “We are leveraging the existing private sector infrastructure to get safe and effective vaccines supported by Operation Warp Speed into communities and into arms as quickly as possible with no out-of-pocket costs. The vast majority of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, and our new agreement with pharmacy partners across America is a critical step toward making sure all Americans have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines when they are available.”
Many pharmacists, such as the ones who work at Brookshire Brothers, are trained to provide immunizations and are already important immunizers in their communities. Pharmacists have been heralded for playing a vital role in the public health response to COVID-19 by counseling patients and expanding access to childhood vaccinations during the pandemic. By working with these partners, the federal government will rapidly expand access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“This is consistent with our commitment to being a trusted resource for our communities. Pharmacists and their staff are some of the most accessible healthcare professionals in the nation, and we stand ready to help increase access and convenience for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, once it is approved and available to us,” said Laura Edmundson, Director of Clinical Pharmacy Programs at Brookshire Brothers.
For more information, visit BrookshireBrothers.com/pharmacy.
ABOUT BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS
Brookshire Brothers is a 100% employee-owned, community-centered grocer based in Lufkin, Texas. Founded in 1921, this regional grocery chain operates more than 116 locations that stretch west to the Texas Hill Country and east to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Though its focus remains on traditional grocery and pharmacy, Brookshire Brothers has complimentary formats that include fuel and tobacco operations. Brookshire Brothers is committed to quality and service in stores and is known for its good food and good people doing good deeds in the communities they serve. https://www.brookshirebrothers.com/
Article previously run on December 21, 2020
January 4, 2021 - A swearing-in ceremony for public officials was held during a special commissioners' court meeting Monday, January 4, 2021 at the Shelby County Courthouse.
Opening the meeting and administering the oaths of office was Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge. The first officials to be sworn in were newly elected Precinct 3 Commissioner Stevie Smith and incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner Roscoe McSwain.
After the commissioners recited their oaths of office, several more officials were sworn-in. A ceremony was held at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department just after 12-midnight January 1, and some of those officials still participated in the commissioners ceremony.
Those sworn-in included Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector; Melba Rodgers, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3; Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney; Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4; Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5; and Kevin Windham, Shelby County Sheriff.
Following the swearing-in of officials, the meeting was concluded.
January 3, 2021 - The Texas COVID-19 Dashboard reports an increase of 32 new cases since the New Year. Of the 32 cases, 28 are confirmed cases and 4 are probable cases. The state also reports 9 new estimated recoveries.
The total estimated active cases is now 78.
January 3rd (2:50pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 676 (28 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 419 (4 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 40
Total Estimated Active Cases - 78
Total Estimated Recovered - 977 (9 new)
January 2, 2020 - FM 1970 just outside of Timpson was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash which resulted in the loss of life of the driver.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Keith Jones, at 11:36pm DPS was alerted of a one-vehicle crash with injuries located on FM 1970 North off of U.S. Highway 84 West in the Timpson area.
Upon arrival at the scene a red 2020 Ford F-150 pickup truck was found which had been involved in the crash. During the investigation it was determined the truck was southbound at an unsafe speed when it traveled off the roadway to the left in a curve and struck a tree, subsequently ejecting the driver.
The truck came to rest shortly thereafter and caught on fire with the driver no longer in the vehicle.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and EMS were both called to the scene and the fire department extinguished the truck.
Kyle Burnham, 35, of Pearland was pronounced deceased at the scene by Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, and he was transported from the scene by Taylor Funeral Home.
This crash remains under investigation.
January 1, 2020 (Photo Album) - Just past midnight, a swearing in ceremony was held at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for several law enforcement officials.
First to be sworn in by Justice of the Peace Pct 2 Marla Denby was Kevin Windham. Sheriff Windham was surrounded by family and friends while he took the oath of office. He then announced his new Chief Deputy to be Ruth Gonzales who has been with the Sheriff's Department for the past four years. Sheriff Windham also announced Tanner Peace to be the new Administrative Lieutenant.
Next to be sworn in by JP Denby was Karren Price as the new Shelby County District Attorney and Stevie Smith as the new Commissioner of Precinct 3.
Additional law enforcement officials sworn in were Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood; Constable Precinct 4 Taylor Fanguy; and Constable Precinct 5 Josh Tipton.
Once all the elected officials were sworn in, Sheriff Windham introduced his officers and then performed the installation of his officers as they gave their law enforcement oath.
Update 3:23pm - The Texas COVID-19 Dashboard reports 9 new probable cases of COVID-19 and no recoveries.
The number of total confirmed cases reduced by 4 for a new total of 648. Case reductions have occurred before when cases are discovered to belong to a different county of residence. There was no explaination as to why the decrease.
With the increase in probable cases and the decrease in confirmed cases, the active case count is now 55.
December 31st (3:05pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 648 (4 cases removed)
Total Probable Cases - 415 (9 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 40
Total Estimated Active Cases - 55
Total Estimated Recovered - 968 (0 new)
December 31, 2020 - The Texas COVID-19 Dashboard reported no new cases yesterday, December 30th and 3 new estimated recoveries lowering the number of active cases to 50.
December 30th (5:20pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 652 (0 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 406 (0 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 40
Total Estimated Active Cases - 50
Total Estimated Recovered - 968 (3 new)
County Judge Reports Hospitilizations Exceed 15%; Restaurants, Businesses Not to Exceed 50% Capacity
December 31, 2020 - For seven consecutive days, the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the East Texas region has exceeded 15% of the total capacity.
On Monday, December 21, 2020, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that the 19 counties that comprise the Piney Woods Trauma Service Area (TSA-G) are now in an “area with high hospitalization,” as defined by Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32.
This means restaurants and businesses in all counties within the TSA-G area, must now operate at no more than 50% of the total listed occupancy. In addition, people may not visit bars in “areas with high hospitalization” unless bars are allowed to continue operating drive-thru, pickup and delivery activities.
“The number one way to safeguard against the increasing spread of the coronavirus and to protect the community from additional restrictions from the state is to regulate our own behavior in a responsible way,” said Judge Harbison. “We should, as individuals, make the choices to wear a mask, avoid large crowds, keep our distance, wash our hands often, and stay home if we feel sick. By doing this, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our community, and regain additional freedoms and opportunities for ourselves and our businesses. Shelby County’s case numbers are some of the lowest in our 19 County Region, please do your part to keep our County safe and well.”
Counties may return to 75% capacity when "the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients as a percentage of total hospital capacity exceeds 15% or less.
Trauma Service Area G includes the following counties: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood.
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