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April 24, 2021 - Haslam Strip (U.S. Highway 84) was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Emergency responders were called to the scene of the incident just under one mile from the state line. 

According to Texa s Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 6:55am a white 2019 Peterbilt truck-tractor driven by Clifford Lynn Bell, 33, of Nacogdoches was towing a trailer westbound on U.S. Highway 84 (US 84).

At that time a white 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Katy Elyse Blalock Loftin, 36, of Logansport, LA. was eastbound on US 84 and was in the center median preparing to turn left into a private drive. Loftin may have had impaired visibility due to the sun rising, turned when unsafe and was struck by the Peterbilt.

Loftin, an 8-year-old passenger and an infant were all transported by ambulance from the scene. She was transported to LSU Shreveport and the children were taken to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department.

April 23, 2021 - Work to mill and inlay SH 7 in Shelby County has begun and will continue through April 30, weather permitting.

Moore Brothers Construction, Lufkin, is serving as contractor for the mill and inlay project that began this week on SH 7 in Shelby County. The work will be at various locations from US 96 in Center to approximately 8.5 miles west.

Motorists traveling near the work zones on SH 7 will experience delays and lane closures during work hours. Stay alert for workers and equipment working near travel lanes. Obey all signage and traffic control.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395. Follow Lufkin District updates and alerts on Facebook at Texas Department of Transportation (Lufkin) and on Twitter at TxDOT Lufkin.

April 22, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, since yesterday, 1 new probable case of Covid-19 has been reported. In April, the total number of new cases reported is 61.

The dashboard also reports 1 additional death from COVID-19 raising the total death toll to 67.

April 22nd (4:40pm) Numbers: (changes since April 21st)
Total Confirmed Cases - 928
Total Probable Cases - 733 (1 new)
Total Fatalities - 67 (1 new)
Active Cases - 31
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,564 (6 new)


Click image to open enlarged map in pdf file

April 22, 2021 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartments 79/81/85, Blocks A&B&C in Jasper County. This area is located in the Ebenzer Park Area near Hwy 255 and Hwy 63. 

Please see the attached map of the projected burn areas. Winds will be SE at 7-10 mph. Ignition time of 10am and completion estimated at 7pm.

April 21, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, since April 15, 2021 a total of 8 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported. Of the new cases, 7 were new confirmed cases and 1 was a new probable case.

The Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard finally reports a positive number of active cases with a decrease in the number of recoveries previously reported. Since April 8th the dashboard has had a data discrepancy with more recoveries than active cases. Mathematically the number of active cases was a negative number and the dashboard only reflected 0.

In April, the total number of new cases reported is 60.

April 21st (3:00pm) Numbers: (changes since April 20th)
Total Confirmed Cases - 928 (1 new)
Total Probable Cases - 732 (1 new)
Total Fatalities - 66
Active Cases - 36
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,558 (63 removed)

April 20th (4:00pm) Numbers: (changes since April 15th)
Total Confirmed Cases - 927 (6 new)
Total Probable Cases - 731 (0 new)
Total Fatalities - 66
Active Cases - Data Discrepancy
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,621 (19 new)


Click image for larger version

April 21, 2021 - (Resolution) - The Shelby County Commissioners recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness month during their meeting held Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, informed the commissioners of a sexual assault awareness event in Portacool Park on Thursday, April 22.

Lisette Mendoza with Family Crisis Center of East Texas addressed the court. Mendoza introduced herself as the Shelby County Legal Advocate. She explained she also serves San Augustine and Sabine Counties. 

"On behalf of all of our agency I would like to thank everyone present today for your continued support of our mission and goals to end domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as your continued partnerships," said Mendoza. "The daily work that I do could not be possible without the support of all of our partners Sheriff's Department, Police Department, County and District Attorney's offices."

Mendoza stated the crime has no boundaries for the victims of sexual assault as it effects all ages, genders, ethnicity, and single or married individuals.

"The toll it takes on them is not only physical, but also mentally and emotionally," said Mendoza. "So to have a community that really cares about Shelby County, our county officials, we're very thankful for you all."

Mendoza reiterated there is an event which will be held Thursday, April 22, 12-noon at Portacool Park where they will be providing a pizza lunch by the baseketball court.

A motion carried by the commissioners to pass the resolution.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Resolution declaring April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”
3. Adjourn.

April 21, 2021 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn Angelina/Sabine National Forest RX, Cooper Branch, SNF Comp 113, 114 located in Compartment 113 and 114, 1,699 acres. This area is located in Yellowpine area/community. Winds are predicted from the Northeast at 7–10 mph. Please see the attached map of the projected burn areas.


Click image to see enlarged pdf of map

April 20, 2021 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn located in Compartment 62/64, 895 acres. This area is located at Nine Mile Road and Sabine County Reeves Road. Winds are predicted from the Southwest and later afternoon West at 7 – 10 mph.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Sabine Ranger District office (409) 625-1940

April 16, 2021 - State Highway 7 West just east of CR 1246 was the scene of a major single-vehicle crash April 13, 2021 at around 7pm.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Daniel Dellenger, a blue 2002 Jeep Liberty driven by Rebecca Eddins, 36, of Center was eastbound on State Highway 7 at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway to the right.

After the Jeep traveled off the roadway, it began to flip and did so several times before colliding with a tree in the front yard of a residence where it came to rest facing westbound.

Eddins and her passenger Joshua Eddins, 33, were each removed from the vehicle. She was transported by emergency personnel to an ambulance and he walked, of his own volition, to a separate ambulance.

Rebecca Eddins remains at this time in a Tyler hospital for treatment.

Assisting at the scene were West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department personnel.

April 15, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, since April 13, 2021 a total of 4 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported. Of the new cases, 2 were new confirmed cases and 2 were new probable cases.

The Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard continues to report more recoveries than cases. The dashboard doesn't reflect the negative number of active cases but reports instead 0 active cases. Because of the discrepancy, the total number of active cases won't be in the following report.

April 15th (3:50pm) Numbers: (changes since April 13th)
Total Confirmed Cases - 921 (2 new)
Total Probable Cases - 731 (2 new)
Total Fatalities - 66
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,602 (8 new)

In April, the total number of new cases reported is 52.

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