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September 4, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 9:47am on Friday, September 4, 2020, TxDSHS has reported no new cases and the cumulative case count remains at 442. The death count is 14 for Shelby County. (The DSHS website dashboard shows 20 deaths for Shelby County as of Sept 3rd.)
According to the state's algorithm to determine recoveries, there are 2 new recoveries reported and the total of recoveries is 401. The number of active cases is 27.
Kerri Shofner, Emergency Management coordinator, advises there will not be a daily news release since numbers seem to be holding steady unless there is a substantial change. The reports will go to a weekly update. The information will also be limited to active cases and not cumulative. It will include the active cases by zipcode and the active cases by age range.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:
Active Cases in each zip code: (Change in Data)
Center (75935) - 18 (1 recovery)
Joaquin (75954) - 2
Shelbyville (75973) - 0
Tenaha (75974) - 5
Timpson (75975) - 2 (1 recovery)
Ages of Active Cases:
Ages 1 to 20: 6 cases
Ages 21 to 40: 10 cases
Ages 41 to 60: 4 cases
Ages 61 to 80: 4 cases
Ages 81 to 100: 3 cases
September 3, 2020 - As the battle continues against COVID-19, Shelby County is daily faced with the difficulty of new cases.
In an effort to keep the public informed, and to provide transparency throughout this struggle which everyone is facing, Timpson ISD has shared two cases have occurred and recently been reported.
The following is what was shared on the school's social media page Wednesday evening:
Timpson ISD must report that we have two cases of Covid-19 that have been lab confirmed for this week. One is a transportation employee and the other is a middle school student. Both persons were last on campus last Friday August 28, 2020. We have been conducting contact tracing in cooperation with the Texas State Health Department and are in the process of notifying those who may have been in contact with these individuals and explaining quarantine procedures.
TISD has sanitized those areas where these cases were and is taking precautions to prevent further spread. We are working to make schooling as safe as possible this year for our students and staff.
September 3, 2020 - Heavy rains blew through Shelby County on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 which resulted in traffic incidents on two highways causing delays.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to State Highway 7 West near CR 1170 at 12:35pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a gray 2003 Mercury Mountaineer driven by Jose Banuelos, 22, of Baytown was eastbound on State Highway 7 west of Center. As the Mercury was traveling down the roadway, a tree fell from the right side and across the front of the Mercury causing major damage.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash incident.
West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department fire personnel were on scene and cleared the tree from the roadway while directing traffic.
While that scene was still being cleared, at 12:50pm another large tree fell across U.S. 96 North just north of Loop 500, completely blocking the highway.
Traffic was backed up in both directions while TxDOT personnel worked to clear the road of the large tree which was entangled with power lines.
Once the debris was no longer in the roadway, traffic was allowed to flow once again.
September 3, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 8:45am on Thursday, September 3, 2020, TxDSHS has reported 4 new cases and the cumulative case count is now 442. The death count is 14 for Shelby County. (The DSHS website dashboard shows 19 deaths for Shelby County as of Aug 25th.)
According to the state's algorithm to determine recoveries, there are no new recoveries reported and the total of recoveries is 399. The number of active cases is 29.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:
Active Cases in each zip code: (Change in Data)
Center (75935) - 19 (3 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 2
Shelbyville (75973) - 0
Tenaha (75974) - 5
Timpson (75975) - 3 (1 new)
Cumulative Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 295 (3 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 29
Shelbyville (75973) - 27
Tenaha (75974) - 52
Timpson (75975) - 39 (1 new)
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20: 44 cases (2 new)
Ages 21 to 40: 146 cases (2 new)
Ages 41 to 60: 129 cases, 4 deaths
Ages 61 to 80: 80 cases, 4 deaths
Ages 81 to 100: 36 cases, 6 deaths
Age unknown: 7 cases
September 2, 2020 - Traffic Alert: U.S. Highway 96 North of Center just north of Loop 500 is blocked by a tree across the roadway which fell around 1pm on Wednesday. Both northbound and southbound lanes are blocked. Expect traffic delays if you have to travel through the area and be cautious of emergency responders. (Photo shared by a Shelby County Today viewer)
September 2, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 11:45am on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, TxDSHS has reported 3 new cases and the cumulative case count is now 438. The death count is 14 for Shelby County. (The DSHS website dashboard shows 19 deaths for Shelby County as of Aug 25th.)
According to the state's algorithm to determine recoveries, there are no new recoveries reported and the total of recoveries is 399. The number of active cases is 25.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:
Active Cases in each zip code: (Change in Data)
Center (75935) - 16 (3 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 2
Shelbyville (75973) - 0
Tenaha (75974) - 5
Timpson (75975) - 2
Cumulative Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 292 (3 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 29
Shelbyville (75973) - 27
Tenaha (75974) - 52
Timpson (75975) - 38
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20: 42 cases
Ages 21 to 40: 144 cases (1 new)
Ages 41 to 60: 129 cases (1 new), 4 deaths
Ages 61 to 80: 80 cases (1 new), 4 deaths
Ages 81 to 100: 36 cases, 6 deaths
Age unknown: 7 cases
September 2, 2020 - The Shelby County Office of Emergency Management is encouraging anyone in Shelby County to self report any damages you may have received to your home or business during Tropical Storm Laura.
If you sustained damage to your home or business as a result of Tropical Storm Laura, please utilize the link below to submit a damage survey. Within the survey, disaster survivors will have the opportunity to request assistance from volunteer organizations at their property. This information will also help us request more resources and volunteers into the area to help if needed.
Residents will be available to upload pictures and report damages to the property. This voluntary self-reporting should not substitute residents reporting damages to their insurance agencies, nor does it guarantee disaster relief assistance.
You can find the link to report damages at the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) web site at www.detcog.gov. Click on the “Hurricane Laura: Was your home or business damaged?” link.
September 2, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners held a meeting during a power outage Wednesday, September 2, 2020.
Toward the end of the meeting, discussion over closure of the courthouse was had and it was instead decided to allow department heads to decide whether to close their office for the day. County Judge Allison Harbison stated she contacted Chad Nehring about the outage, and he was in contact with SWEPCO, she also said the SWEPCO website states 11:30am for restoration of power.
The commissioners discussed needing a Request For Proposal (RFP) for disaster assistance in reference to damage incurred by Hurricane Laura.
"That's for the county roads and stuff, I don't even know if Texas is going to meet the threshold, but I think that we need to at least have that tool in place in case we do and are able to get reimbursed for some of our expenses," said Judge Harbison.
A motion carried to move forward with assessing the damage from Hurricane Laura to see if the county qualifies to file for an RFP.
Judge Harbison suggested the commissioners ratify and continue the Declaration of Disaster regarding Hurricane Laura. She explained the declaration expires after seven days and it would be time to continue the declaration.
A motion carried to ratify the Declaration of Disaster regarding Hurricane Laura.
The commissioners discussed quotes for partitions to be added to the Justice of Peace 3/Constable 3 building.
Judge Harbison read off the quotes and they were, Moody Construction in the amount of $4,697.45 and Easy Way Services for $5,877 and $850 for electrical work.
"We are not doing anything to anybody, first of all, it's nothing personal. I've heard all these things, you know it's nothing personal. It's been a unique situation over in that area, because Ms. Margie had her office in her home," said Commissioner Charles Barr.
He further remarked former Constable Billy Hearnsberger worked out of his home, and the situations have changed.
"I have an opportunity to get the JP and the constable in the same building where they're going to be working together, and in my opinion and I think the courts opinion, that's the way it needs to be," said Barr.
He offered for other members of the court to offer their opinion on the circumstances and he further commented.
"With that being said, I've been informed that the constable does not want to move in that building," said Barr.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain suggested that means Constable Roy Cheatwood was just going to work out of his truck and home, and said that's his prerogative.
Barr said he didn't think there was a need for partitions and Judge Harbison suggested Judge Rodgers would probably like to have an office.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer said the outline of the project includes a courtroom in addition to the office area.
Judge Harbison suggested moving forward with the partitions, including the constables office should he decide to use the office space.
Commissioner Barr wanted to clarify Constable Cheatwood and Judge Rodgers would work together, as they get along well and that is a different subject than the office space.
Commissioner Bellmyer agreed with the space being made available for the constable's office for any documentation, or anything that may need to be stored. Judge Harbison agreed, and if he doesn't choose to use the space that would be the constable's business.
Commissioner Jimmy Lout suggested meeting with Constable Cheatwood, and Judge Harbison said he hasn't contacted her about the space at all.
"This is a rented building, and we're going to continue to stay there, why would we spend $5,000 if he's not going to use it?," said Commissioner McSwain. "If we're going to do something with other land and build something that we own instead of continuing to pay all this rent, I'm all for it. If don't want the office, I ain't spending the money to build him no office."
Commissioner McSwain stated that was Constable Cheatwood's choice and he wouldn't vote to spend money to get him an office next year either.
"If he makes the choice, he needs to stick to it," said McSwain.
A motion carried to accept the quote from Moody Construction and to renegotiate the cost without the inclusion of a constable office.
The meeting adjourned at 9:49.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Renew contract between Shelby County Tax Assessor-Collector (Agent) with Texas Parks and Wildlife. 4. Partitions to be added to JP3 office by Moody Construction without the inclusion of a constable office. 5. Assess the damage from Hurricane Laura and decide if there is a need to issue a RFP for disaster assistance. 6. Ratify and continue the Declaration of Disaster regarding Hurricane Laura. 7. Adjourn.
Update - The power was restored around 11:00am.
Update - Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is currently experiencing a transmission outage affecting our system. This unfortunately is on the supplier’s side. We are working with them to get more details and will hopefully have more information to provide soon. Unless you were still without power as a result of Hurricane Laura, there is no need to report your outage.
September 2, 2020 - Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is currently experiencing a transmission outage affecting the full system. Please be patient as we work with our power supplier to restore this.
At this time, there is no need to report your outage
August 31, 2020 - Hurst Street at the intersection of Foster Street was the scene of an 18-wheeler rollover crash incident August 31, 2020.
According to Center Police Officer Maegan Wright, the truck-tractor was driven by Shawn Miller, 26 of Iota, La with passenger Gregory Bertrand, 25 of Crowley, La.
Miller was northbound on Hurst Street when he turned right into Foster Street, and subsequently into a drainage ditch where the trailer he was pulling rolled into its side.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Miller received citations for truck off truck route, improper turning right, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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