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March 26, 2020 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison sent an email out around 11:30am on March 26, 2020 advising she received notification of a positive case of COVID-19 in the county. The email read as follows:
A few minutes ago, I was notified by the Department of State Health Services that a Shelby County resident has been confirmed positive for COVID-19. The Department of State Health Services is in the process of doing their follow-up investigation of close contacts of the patient.
I urge everyone to stay the course and continue doing what we have been doing for the last couple of weeks; Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer often, practice social distancing, clean and disinfect surfaces that you use regularly.
I feel we should remain vigilant, take this crisis seriously, and follow the previous guidelines that have been provided.
For your convenience there is a COVID-19 Nacogdoches County Call Center where you may call if you are experiencing these symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
For screening and triage only; individuals who meet the testing criteria will be sent to a mobile testing site. The number is 936-468-4787
If you are experiencing these symptoms please do not report to an ER or physician’s office.
I want to thank the media for helping get information out to the public. I want to thank Nacogdoches County for this testing resource.
Be kind, Be smart, Stay safe, Be well!!
March 26, 2020 - Commissioner Roscoe McSwain is closing CR 1510 at Lake Pinkston on Friday, March 27 starting at 7am until repairs are completed.
March 25, 2020 - (Photos Courtesy WSCVFD) - The West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department (WSCVFD) was dispatched to the scene of a single-vehicle crash Sunday, March 22, 2020.
When the firemen arrived just after 3am, they discovered a large oak tree which had fallen across State Highway 7 (SH7) near Excelsior ISD. A car had been traveling westbound on SH7 with two occupants during a heavy rain when it collided with the tree in the roadway.
Both driver and passenger were not reported to have received injury due to the crash, and were driven home by private vehicle.
The firemen worked to clear the tree and vehicle from the roadway during the continued onslaught of rain for several hours and returned to the station at 6:20am.
March 24, 2020 - Shelby County Constable Office Precinct 3 received information on March 10, 2020 regarding illegal marijuana being grown at a residence off State Highway 7.
Constable Roy Cheatwood advised Zack Warr, Shelby County Constable Precinct 1, of the received information. Multiple agencies conducted an investigation on March 16, driving to the residence of William Doc Caldwell.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officers immediately observed numerous marijuana plants being grown in pots outside of the residence. Due to an open view offense being observed, a search warrant was granted for the residence and property.
After executing the search warrant, multiple loaded and unloaded firearms were located in and outside the residence. William Doc Caldwell and Amber Michelle Deason, both residents of the home, were arrested and charged for possession of marijuana and child endangerment.
Caldwell was additionally charged with felon in possession of firearms.
Constable Cheatwood thanks Constable Zack Warr; Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; Shelby County Sheriff's Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Shelby County District Attorney Stephen Shires and Shelby County District Judge Jim Payne for their assistance. Constable Cheatwood expresses a special thank you to Distirct Judge LeAnn Kay Rafferty for her help and assistance over the phone the night the arrests were made.
March 24, 2020 - The National Weather Service issued at 10:59am Tuesday, March 24, 2020 a Flood Warning.
The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas for the Attoyac Bayou near Chireno affecting Nacogdoches, Shelby, San Augustine and Rusk Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
- Do not drive cars through flooded areas.
- Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
- Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
- Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
The Flood Warning is now in effect until early Friday morning.
The Flood Warning continues for the Attoyac Bayou Near Chireno until late Thursday night. At 10:30 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 15.8 feet. Flood stage is 14.0 feet. Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.
Recent Activity... The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 10:30 AM CDT Tuesday was 16.0 feet.
Forecast... The river is expected to rise to a crest of 16.2 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below flood stage late Thursday morning.
For more hydrologic information, visit the following website address: water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=shv
March 23, 2020 - In light of the announcements, recommendations, orders, and pronouncements from the Texas Supreme Court, The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Office of Court Administration, the Texas Justice Court Training Center, the Center of Disease Control and the Texas Department of Health Services regarding the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Justice of the Peace, Precinct Four, Shelby County, Texas hereby issues the following order. This order is hereby issued to protect the community, limit exposure, provide for an efficient judicial system, as well as protect the court staff, the public, defendants, parties, attorneys, jurors, and any others that may be involved.
This Order will remain in effect unless any of the Texas or U.S Officials issue a disaster declaration the Supreme Court or its delegates authorize new rules during the disaster, in which case a new order (or a revised order), for the Shelby County Justice Court will be issued accordingly to the declaration and rules. If the Office of Court Administration issues updated guidance, this Order will be amended.
The Texas Supreme Court and Criminal Appeals Court of Texas have issued an Emergency Order. The order states that all courts in Texas in any case, civil or criminal, may take certain measures, and must do so, to avoid the risk of exposure to court staff, the public, attorneys, jurors. and others involved. These measures include modifying or suspending any and all deadlines and procedures, and without a participant's consent. It also includes taking any reasonable actions to avoid exposing court proceedings to the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
For this reason, all scheduled court proceedings prior to May 1, 2020, except for 'essential court proceedings', will be reset to another date after MAY 1, 2020. If you have a case that has been set for hearing or trial before May 1, 2020, you will be notified of the date and time your case is reset for.
Please note that Civil cases may be filed, but will not be fully processed until after the Orders are lifted, which at this time is May 1, 2020. This includes Eviction suits. Any pending Eviction suits will be postponed and reset after the Governor's State of Disaster has been lifted.
Anyone who must conduct business with the Justice of the Peace Court are encouraged to do so by phone, mail, or email or fax. To contact the JP office, contact information is (phone) 936-248-4001, 936-572-3040, (fax) 936-248-4002, or (mail) P.O. Box 902, 140 Ed Wall Street, Tenaha, Texas 75974. Traffic citations that are issued during this timeframe will be extended and given a May 1. 2020 or later appearance date. Any appearance dates that fall during the active dates of this Order can contact the court for extensions, questions and concerns. Payments can be made online at www.trafficpayment.com or by calling 1-800-444-1187. Or by mailing in a MONEY ORDER payable to SHELBY COUNTY JP 4 and mailed to P 0. Box 902 Tenaha, Texas 75974.
March 23, 2020 - The USGS has reported a 2.5 magnitude earthquake in the Timpson area as of 1:52am Monday, March 23, 2020.
Recorded depth of the quake was 5 km, which is just over 3 miles and was detected within the vicinity of County Road 4916.
The earthquake with the greatest seismicity recorded yet in the Timpson area was a 4.8 magnitude earthquake on May 17, 2012.
March 22, 2020 - On March 20th Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation postponing the runoff primary election until July 14, 2020 — the same date as the special election for Texas State Senate District 14. The runoff election was originally scheduled for May 26th, but has been postponed in conjunction with the state's ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The postponement of this election serves to help fulfill the Governor's recent executive orders mandating certain obligation for Texans that are aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, including the encouragement of social distancing. Holding the runoff in May would cause the congregation of large gatherings of people in confined spaces and cause numerous election workers to come into close proximity with others. This would threaten the health and safety of many Texans.
March 22, 2020 - State Highway 87 (SH87) near CR 1459 was the scene of a two-vehicle collision Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Emergency personnel with Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the scene of the crash where they assisted.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 3:02pm a blue 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Brandon Hunter Blanton, 22, of Nacogdoches was northbound on SH87 when he failed to control speed.
At that time a silver 2015 GMC pickup truck driven by John T. Barbee, 71, of Center was also northbound when the Toyota rear-ended the GMC causing major damage to both vehicles.
Barbee and his passenger Billy Matthew Snider, 29, were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries. Blanton and his passenger Jessica Blanton, 22, were taken by private vehicle to Cline Family Medicine for treatment.
Blanton was issued a citation for failure to control speed.
March 21, 2020 – U.S. Highway 96 at County Road 1012 around seven miles south of Center was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash which resulted in the deaths of two people involved.
According to the preliminary crash investigation led by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Dustin Ramos, assisted by DPS Trooper Taylor Buster, at approximately 2:20am, a blue 2008 Pontiac G5 passenger car driven by Jordan Shisler, 28, of Center was traveling south. For unknown reasons Shisler crossed over the center of the roadway and was struck in the passenger side by a light blue 2007 International truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Jasper Houston, 30, of Frierson, LA.
Shisler and his passenger Jasmin Cavazos, 20, of Center were pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace.
Houston was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for possible treatment and was later released.
Emergency personnel with the Center Fire Department (CFD), Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department and EMS personnel all responded to the scene.
CFD firemen took great care and time in utilizing Jaws-of-Life to extricate Shisler and Cavazos from the vehicle. Mangum Funeral Home transported Shisler and Cavazos from the scene.
This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
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