Shelby County Today

June 18, 2020 - An 18-wheeler is blocking a portion of Southview Circle in Center Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 8:15pm.

Law enforcement officers with Center Police Department and Texas DPS are on scene to divert traffic until the location is clear.

Drivers should use caution approaching this intersection until the 18-wheeler is no longer there.

June 17, 2020 - On June 14, 2020, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 to issue a Boil Water Notice to 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 06/17/2020.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi at 936-591-1205.

June 14, 2020 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Choice water system ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water 6/14/2020 on HWY 96 North of FM 417( anyone without water) 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Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.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 Vince Di Verdi 936-591-1205

June 16, 2020 - State Highway 7 (SH7) East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, June 12, 2020.

When Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrived at the scene of the incident both vehicles involved were on the eastbound side of the roadway.

According to Texas DPS Trooper Keith Jones, at 1:38pm a brown GMC Canyon SLE driven by James Howard Gibson, 47, of Logansport with passenger Archie Rachal Jr., 29, was westbound on SH7 East near the Center Municipal Airport when he attempted to make a u-turn from the right lane shoulder.

As the GMC made the left maneuver it was struck by a blue 2008 Toyota Yarris driven by Wipha Phimchan LeBlanc, 51, of Joaquin. The truck came to a stop on the eastbound shoulder and the Yarris traveled further where it came to a stop on the barrow ditch.

No injuries were reported resulting from the crash.

Gibson was issued a citation for turn when unsafe and LeBlanc was issued a citation for violation of license operator front seat age 21 years or older.

June 15, 2020 - The Shelby County Emergency Management office reports as of 9:00am on Monday, June 15, 2020, TxDSHS has reported 3 new case for a total of 229 cumulative cases of COVID-19. DSHS also reports 7 new recoveries for 111 total recoveries and the county has 110 active cases. The death count remains at 8 people who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

DSHS also reports of the 229 cumulative cases, 35 of those cases are "lost to follow" which means DSHS has not been able to contact them to follow up on their recovery.

Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:

Cases in each zip code:

Center (75935) - 165 (3 New)
Joaquin (75954) - 9
Shelbyville (75973) - 15
Tenaha (75974) - 23
Timpson (75975) - 17

Ages of Confirmed Cases:

Ages 1 to 20: 14 cases
Ages 21 to 40: 74 cases (3 New)
Ages 41 to 60: 79 cases, 4 death
Ages 61 to 80: 41 cases, 3 death
Ages 81 to 100: 16 cases, 1 death
Age unknown: 5 cases