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December 11, 2020 - The Texas DSHS COVID-19 Dashboard has released the new numbers for Shelby County. As of 5pm December 11th, the new numbers show 71 active estimated cases. The total number of Confirmed Cases is 621 and the total number of Probable Cases is 321. Confirmed Cases were previously refered to as Cumulative Cases and are the total number of cases since March 27th when the first case was reported.
The dashboard also reports an additional death over night for a total of 38 deaths from COVID-19 for Shelby County.
According to the cases over time for Shelby County, for December 11th only 1 new case was reported in the confirmed cases. Since the Probable Cases data is new, the daily increase is unknown at this time; however, it should be available in the future as the data is compiled.
Earlier today DSHS reported an update for their Texas COVID-19 Dashboard which would now reflect the Probable Cases along with the Confirmed Cases. Click here to read the press release regarding the change in reporting.
Definitions explaining which tests are Confirmed Cases or Probable Cases:
- Confirmed Case - A person who has tested positive through a molecular test that looks for the virus’s genetic material. Texas uses the confirmed case definition adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Molecular Tests - Tests that diagnose current infections by looking for a germ’s genetic material. For COVID-19, Molecular Tests include nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and loop mediated isothermic amplification (LAMP) tests. Does not include antigen tests. A positive molecular test is required to meet criteria as a confirmed case.
- Probable Case - A person who has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. Texas uses the probable case definition adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Antigen Tests - A nasal swab test that can show a current infection by looking for proteins on the outside of a germ. They can be performed rapidly where the test is collected. Under the national case definitions, positive antigen tests indicate probable cases, not confirmed cases.
December 11, 2020 - The Texas Department of State Health Services today will update the COVID-19 data dashboard to include additional data and to simplify the layout to improve functionality.
DSHS is adding case counts for probable cases statewide and by county. Probable cases are those identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis. Reporting probable cases allows Texans to see a more complete picture of how COVID-19 is affecting Texas since both confirmed and probable cases represent active infections. For that reason, they will be included in the estimates of active and recovered cases.
In addition to the probable case counts, DSHS is adding a positivity rate for antigen tests. This positivity rate, based on when people were tested, aligns with the most reliable positivity rate for molecular tests. These positivity rates, which show the percentage of tests taken in a given period that are positive, provide a consistent view of the severity of the pandemic over time because they most closely reflect the conditions when people were tested.
The configuration of the dashboard will change to improve performance. Some tabs will be combined, and users will be able to toggle between confirmed and probable cases, fatalities, and active and recovered estimates by county on a single tab. Case and fatality demographics will also be consolidated onto one tab.
“These dashboard refinements are part of our effort to continually improve our insight and response to the ongoing pandemic,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “The development and increased use of antigen testing to detect current infections prompted the inclusion of probable case counts and the antigen test positivity rate in the data we post daily. The trends in this and other data shape our understanding of the course of the pandemic in Texas.”
After several months of posting three positivity rates for molecular tests, as previously announced, DSHS will retire the rates based on when lab results were reported to the state and the legacy rate which used the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases over seven days divided by the number of new molecular test results over the same period.
December 10, 2020 - Hurst Street in Center was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
According to Center Police Officer Maegan Wright, at just before 6pm a black 2007 Kia Sportage driven by Heather Stokes, 29, of Center with two passengers, aged 13 and 8, was southbound on Hurst Street attempting a left turn. At that time a gold 2002 Ford Super Duty F-250 pickup truck and trailer were northbound on Hurst Street driven by Ubiliado Cardenas Garcia, 35, of Center with passenger Jose Jimenez, 53, of Center.
Stokes failed to yield right of way while turning left and struck the Ford pickup truck. In an attempt to avoid the collision with an evasive lane change, the truck rolled over in the ditch in front of Center First UPC.
No injuries were reported at the scene of any parties involved in the crash.
Stokes was issued citations for no insurance and fail to yield right of way turning left.
December 10, 2020 - As of Thursday, December 10, 2020 the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports Shelby County now has a cumulative case count of 620 with only 17 active cases currently. The largest single day increase was on December 8th with a daily count of 6 new cases. The total increase since the November 22nd report is 23 new cases.
The probable case counts have yet to be reported on the Texas COVID-19 Dashboard. The probable cases include positive test results from the antigen tests that provide results to the patient in approximately 15 minutes. Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Kerri Shofner reported 51 probable active cases as of today.
November 23rd - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 597)
November 24th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 597)
November 25th - 1 new case (Cumulative total 598)
November 26th - 1 new case (Cumulative total 599)
November 27th - 1 new case (Cumulative total 600)
November 28th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 600)
November 29th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 600)
November 30th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 600)
December 1st - 1 new case (Cumulative total 601)
December 2nd - 1 new case (Cumulative total 602)
December 3rd - 3 new cases (Cumulative total 605)
December 4th - 1 new case (Cumulative total 606)
December 5th - 3 new cases (Cumulative total 609)
December 6th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 609)
December 7th - 0 new cases (Cumulative total 609)
December 8th - 6 new cases (Cumulative total 615)
December 9th - 2 new cases (Cumulative total 617)
December 10th - 3 new cases (Cumulative total 620)
DSHS also reports 1 new death for Shelby County due to COVID-19 for a cumulative count of 37.
December 10, 2020 - The West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) was dispatched to a structure fire three miles from State Highway 7 West on FM 2913 just before it transitions to CR 1520 Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
When the firemen arrived just after 3pm, additional support from Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department also arrived on the scene. The structure apparently had been burning long before the fire department was alerted and was completely burned down, aside from some fuel tanks located in and around the structure which apparently no longer contained fuel.
The fire burned through portions of a neighboring field just over 142 acres in size and into woods surrounding the property.
The Texas Forest Service was called in to the location to dig a line around the fire and help prevent further spread.
A cause for the fire was not yet determined at the time of the fire.
December 8, 2020 - The intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Sunday, December 6, 2020 at around 9:40pm.
By chance, Center Police Officers drove up on the scene of the crash just after it occurred and began calling for additional emergency assistance.
A white 2005 Cadillac Escalade SUV driven by a 16-year-old minor passenger was disabled on the westbound side of Roughrider Drive and a green 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage passenger car driven by Guadalupe Valdez, 39, of Center remained at the intersection facing west.
Center Fire Department fire personnel responded to the crash where they utilized Jaws-of-Life to help extricate passengers from within the Mitsubishi, where an infant was involved.
Valdez; a 9-year-old front seat passenger; Maria Duran, 38; and an infant were all transported by ambulance for treatment of unknown injuries. Duran was also transported by helicopter to UT Tyler for additional treatment.
The two 16-year-old passengers of the Escalade and passenger Nigel Moore, 20, of Logansport were all transported by ambulance for treatment of unknown injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by Center Police Officer Michael Davidson assisted at the scene by Officer Maegan Wright.
December 7, 2020 - The 123rd Judicial District Court Felony Arraignment hearings scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, 2020, are CANCELLED. Defendants need not appear.
Please contact the 123rd District Court Manager, Erin Johnson, erin.johnson@co.panola.tx.us or 903.693.0315 for your rescheduled court date.
LeAnn Kay Rafferty
Presiding Judge
123rd Judicial District Court
December 7, 2020 - Sometime over the weekend two of the Center City Park concession stands were vandalized.
The new Center Soccer Complex which just opened up in October with new fields and a concession stand was one of the broken into properties. Jason Mitchell, City of Center Parks and Recreation Director, advised the break-in at the concession stand occurred sometime after 12 on Saturday and was discovered Monday morning.
The soccer field concession stand.
The Soccer concession stand metal roll up door appears to have been damaged when a golf cart located beside the building was pushed and rammed into the door to gain access. All that was taken was a container of ring pops. The damage to the door was significant.
The second location was the Girls Softball Complex where the concession stand was also broken into and vandalized. The metal roll up window cover was lifted and a small window broken to gain access. Two freezers were left open and a box of food was left on the counter and defrosted.
The Center Police Department is investigating both incidences.
The damaged metal roll up door at the soccer field concession stand.
The Center Police Department at the Softball Complex.
The small window used to gain access at the softball park concession stand.
Corner of Tenaha Street and Nacogdoches is open.
December 5, 2020 - The intersection at the RIO Theatre is open for traffic traveling from Tenaha Street and taking a right onto Nacodoches Street. Traffic can only make a right as the roadway is still blocked to the left going towards Boles Feed and the Farmers State Bank downtown drive-thru. Nacogdoches Street on the square is open to through traffic and is back to one way.
Shelbyville Street isn't open but does have parking places available.
Shelbyville Street downtown is still blocked to through traffic; however, parking spaces are availabe on Shelbyville Street. Travelers can also travel all the way around the inside of the square.
The Lighted Christmas Parade is tonight at 6pm and will travel from Malone Drive, down Tenaha Street to the square. The parade will then turn left onto the square onto Nacogdoches Street, make a left onto Austin Street, a left onto San Augustine Street and then straight onto Cora Street where the parade will disperse.
Related article: Santa's Christmas Parade Set for December 5th
Nacogdoches Street open to through traffic and is back to one way!
December 8, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners awarded the dispersement of $19,032.19 in capital credits to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) during their meeting held Wednesday, December 20, 2020.
Denise Merriman, SCCAC Executive Director, and Tanner Peace, SCCAC law enforcement representative, were present during the meeting to share information about the organization.
"This amount of money is something that we do not take lightly, that's crucial to be able to provide the services that we do provide," said Merriman.
According to Merriman, the Children's Advocacy was under a threat of a 5% cut of funding from the state; however, they were removed from the list being considered and were not cut this time.
"It makes me nervous, the stuff that's going on and all the money that's being needed in other places," said Merriman.
She stated Children's Advocacy Center is an essential service which needs to remain on the list of those which cannot be cut. She further expressed appreciation to the county for the continued support and uneasiness regarding state and federal funding in the future.
Merriman described how beneficial the SCCAC is for victims reporting abuse, as the alternative means they would have to go to the sheriff's department or police department which are not really child friendly environments. When a child goes to the SCCAC, they speak with forensic interviewers in a comfortable environment.
Merriman remarked how traumatic a situation it would be for the children to have to go to a sheriff's department or police department, because those facilities are designed for adults.
The SCCAC offers the assistance of a Family Advocate who helps non-offending family members to deal with a court situation all the way to the end. Free trauma based counseling is also provided to the children and family members.
Some situations can be even more complicated and require more specialized attention, as Merriman explained.
"Something Sara [Shires] and I did a training on yesterday is problematic sexual behavior, and that's for juvenile offenders that may not be actual perpetrators, they just have other issues going on," said Merriman.
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is also on staff to provide necessary examinations at the SCCAC, should they be necessary.
"During COVID we were able to maintain all of those services, still are. We did some online couseling to just lessen the traffic of the people coming in, so the counselors do great in being able to switch gears to do that," said Merriman.
Merriman said she is proud of her staff stepping in and just doing what they have had to do.
Judge Allison Harbison and Commissioner Charles Barr stated they appreciate the work of the SCCAC.
During the November 25, 2020 meeting of the Commissioners' Court a donation of antique furniture by Attorney Randy McLeroy to the Shelby County Historical Commission was approved to be accepted by the Shelby County Historical Museum.
At the November 4, 2020 meeting, the commissioners approved carryover budget amounts for each precinct. Precinct 1 budgeted $170,430.34; Precinct 2 budgeted $153,137.74; Precinct 3 budgeted $102,073.95: and Precinct 4 budgeted $63,447.46.
A motion carried to approve those carryover amounts.
A motion then carried to move all cash carryovers to fixed assets.
Representatives with Sabine River Authority (SRA) were at the meeting to present a check to Shelby County.
(SRA Press Release)
SRA board members present for the presentation were Cliff Todd, Panola County; Josh McAdams, Shelby County; and Tom Bell, Sabine County. Speaking on behalf of the group was Don Iles, Toledo Bend Division Administrator.
"We sell water and Dallas is one of our largest customers, so we're selling East Texas water to the city of Dallas and their funds flow back into the basin and then the board has chosen 'let's help our communities all we can'," said Iles
The money is donated to the county to be used at its discretion with no strings attached.
Agenda items approved during the referenced meetings are as follows: December 2, 2020 meeting: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Payment of Capital Credits in the amount of $19,032.19. 3. Disperse Capital Credits for the FY 2019 in the amount of $19,032.19 to the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center. 4. Adjourn. November 25, 2020 meeting 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Donation of antique furniture by Attorney Randy McLeroy to the Shelby County Historical Commission. 4. Apply for an membership in Sourcewell which is a national buying cooperative. 5. Adjourn. November 18, 2020 meeting: 1. Minutes of the October 7, 2020 Special meeting, October 14, 2020 Regular meeting, October 21, 2020 Special meeting, October 26, 2020 Emergency meeting, October 28, 2020 Special meeting, October 28, 2020 Emergency meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Shelby County Judge to execute for and on behalf of Shelby County, Texas, an agreement to contribute funds to the State for proper development and construction of the state highway system. 6. Execute the Agreement to Contribute Right of Way Funds between the State of Texas acting through the Texas Department of Transportation and Shelby County regarding a bridge replacement project on FM 2261 at Woodfin Creek. 7. Commissioner Precinct 3 Motor Grader Lease / Purchase Agreement to go with a three year payout with a balloon payment of $140,000, and an interest rate of 2.35%. Payments per year of $49,031.65 with First National Bank of Wichita Falls. 8. Shelby County District Attorney’s seeking sealed bids on a 2005 Cadillac CTS to be turned in by December 7 and opened on December 9. 9. Adjourn. November 4, 2020 meeting: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Community Assistance Program Grant in the amount of $50,000 awarded by Sabine River Authority. 3. FY2020 Budget Line Item Transfers. 4. FY2020 Ending Cash Balance for each Road and Bridge precinct. 5. Adjust the FY2021 Budgeted Fund Carryover for each Road and Bridge precinct. 6. Adjust the FY2021 Expense Budget (per fund carryover) for each Road and Bridge precinct. 7. Adjourn.
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