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September 12, 2017 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers were dispatched to locate a vehicle crash involving a tree after a driver arrived at the hospital.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Taylor Buster and Richard Hill, Sometime on the morning of September 10, 2017 a white GMC pickup truck driven by Luke Clark, was eastbound on FM 417. Clark disregarded a stop sign and crossed 417 striking a tree with the front center of the vehicle.
Clark was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.
When the Troopers, Shelby County Constable Precinct 2 Jamie Hagler and Sheriff's Deputy Adam Renfro located the truck, it had been moved from the crash scene to a residence on CR 2068 in Shelbyville.
September 12, 2017 - Lower speed limit signs are scheduled to be posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 that will lower the speed limit on SH 7 East in Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Shelby counties.
Texas Department of Transportation commissioners approved the recommendation for the speed limit adjustment in August. The new speed limit was reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph. The change will become enforceable when the signs are set.
The section of SH 7 East where the speed limit will be changed includes .3 miles east of SL 224 in Nacogdoches to Martinsville. The reduced speed also extends from just east of Martinsville and continues on SH 7 through San Augustine County and will end at the Center city limits in Shelby County.
Motorists should remain alert and obey all traffic control devices and speed limits.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.
AG Paxton Consumer Alert Following Equifax Data Breach Reportedly Affecting Nearly 12 Million Texans
September 12, 2017 - AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today issued a consumer alert following a report from Equifax Inc., one of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies, that it experienced a data breach affecting 143 million Americans, including nearly 12 million Texans. From mid-May through July, hackers accessed names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers from Equifax credit reports. Around 209,000 individuals had their credit card numbers stolen. Equifax revealed the breach last week.
“My office has been in contact with Equifax and is working to get to the bottom of how this massive data breach occurred, and how we can protect the 12 million Texans it reported who are at potential risk of identity theft,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We will do what’s necessary to hold Equifax accountable. In the meantime, I encourage Texans to educate themselves about how to best protect their personal information and to file a complaint with my office if they have any concerns about this breach.”
The Consumer Protection Division of the attorney general’s office offers the following tips to Texans who may be affected by the Equifax data breach:
Check your credit report by going to a free service: www.annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft.
Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. Such action makes it more difficult for someone to open a new account in your name.
If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. It warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and will make it more difficult for someone to open credit in your name.
Beware of email and telephone scams related to the data breach. Don’t give out personal information to those who contact you asking for information to verify accounts, and be wary of clicking on links or downloading attachments in email messages. Legitimate businesses do not ask consumers to verify account information via cold calls or emails. If in doubt, contact the bank or business directly at a phone number or website known to you.
Carefully review bank and credit card account statements and look for unauthorized charges. If you find any, contact the bank or business immediately to dispute them.
When it’s tax season, consider filing early and look out for any correspondence from the IRS. This will lessen the chance of someone fraudulently filing on your behalf. This is especially important if you’ve confirmed you’re a victim of identity theft.
For more information on how to protect your credit and personal information, visit the Fighting Identity Theft page of the attorney general’s website at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/identitytheft. If you believe you are a victim of the data breach, you can file a complaint online at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.
September 8, 2017 - A Shelby County grand jury for the July 2017 Term of the 123rd Judicial District Court met Thursday, September 7, 2017 and indicted 40 cases on 27 individuals.
The grand jury handed down three indictments of Kenith Wyatt Windham, the man who has filed a federal lawsuit against the Center Police Department for alleged excessive force.
Kenith Wyatt Windham was indicted for aggravated assault, first degree felony - enhanced: habitual felon 15-99 years or life. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson, by hurting his hip, leg, and/or knee while fighting Anderson as the defendant was resisting arrest.
Windham was also indicted for evading arrest or detention with vehicle, third degree felony - enhanced: punished as second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham used a vehicle to flee from Center Police Officer Spencer Anderson.
Windham was also indicted for escape, third degree felony - enhanced: punished as second degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 21, 2017 Windham knowingly escaped the custody of various Shelby County law enforcement officers including, but not limited to Officer Spencer Anderson and/or Sgt. Chris Knowlton when the defendant was under arrest for the felony offense of evading arrest with a vehicle.
Related article: Center PD Faces Excessive Force Allegations
Matthew McMahon and Randa Askew McMahon were each individually indicted for injury to a child, first degree felony. The indictments allege on June 1, 2017 the McMahons recklessly by omission caused serious bodily injury to a child by causing or allowing the child's potassium, protein and albumin levels to fall to very low levels. The potassium level is alleged to have fallen to a dangerously low, life-threatening level - all due to chronic nutritional deficiency.
Related articles: Two Arrested on Alleged Child Abuse Charges | Shelby County Couple Accused of Child Abuse Receive Quick Release Following Bond Reduction
John Blankenship was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 14, 2016 Blankenship recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment, by having marijuana easily accessible to said child.
Kimberly Kay Stolich was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 14, 2016 Blankenship recklessly, or with criminal negligence engaged in conduct that placed a child younger than 15 years of age in imminent danger of death, bodily injury or physical or mental impairment, by having marijuana easily accessible to said child.
Corey Deon Wilson was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 24, 2016 Wilson, knowing that a traffic stop was in progress, he intentionally or knowingly concealed ecstasy pills with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the official proceeding.
Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, state jail felony - penalty enhanced to third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee knowingly possessed with intent to deliver methamphetamine in an amount of less than one gram. It is further alleged this was done within 1,000 feet of a playground owned by Union Acres.
Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for possession of a controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee possessed methamphetamine in an amount less than one gram.
Cedric Jermane Gee was also indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee having already been convicted of the felony offense of manufacturing/distribution/possession of a schedule I substance in Louisiana, intentionally or knowingly possessed a firearm at a location other than the premises Gee lived.
Cedric Jermane Gee was indicted for theft of a firearm, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 31, 2016 Gee took a firearm without the effective consent of the owner.
Richard Elmo Coon was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear, third degree felony - enhanced punishment as per second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 17, 2017 being a person lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition that he subsequently appear intentionally or knowingly failed to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.
Donald Ray Runnels was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear, third degree felony - enhanced punishment as per second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 17, 2017 being a person lawfully released from custody, with or without bail, on condition that he subsequently appear intentionally or knowingly failed to appear in accordance with the terms of his release.
Samantha Lopez was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on July 15, 2016 Lopez entered a habitation without the consent of the owner Rachel Sowell. It is further alleges Lopez attempted to commit or committed theft of an LED LCD TV set, gold chain and gold bracelet, box of assorted items including razor knife, screwdrivers etc., DeWalt drill, JVC movie camera, multiple items of jewelry, purple HP stream notebook, multiple Xbox games, ZTE touchscreen phone, assorted cell phone chargers, multiple Wii games and large JVC camcorder owned by Sowell.
Sherry Jeannine Berwick was indicted for forgery, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on September 19, 2016 Berwick executed a writing so it purported to be the act of Gene Stephens, who did not authorize the act, by way of fraudulent checks and fraudulent debit card transactions from a closed account at USAA Federal Savings Bank, San Antonio, Tx. belonging to Stephens.
Jacoby Dashun Ivy was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2015 Ivy with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination consisting of Ja'mon Moore, Kentrevious Brantly, and Jasmine Harper who allegedly collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity. The group is alleged to have conspired to commit the offense of theft promotion by agreeing with each other that they would engage in conduct that constituted said offense and Ivy, Moore, Brantly and Harper performed an overt act in pursuance of said agreement: theft from Shelby Savings Bank.
Jacoby Dashun Ivy was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on December 18, 2015 Ivy unlawfully appropriated, by acquiring or otherwise exercising control over $10,700 from Shelby Savings Bank.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 Aguilar threatened Shelby Rodriguez with imminent bodily injury by pointing a handgun at Rodriguez and discharging it in her direction as she fled Aguilar. The indictment further alleges Aguilar exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault and that he and Rodriguez had a dating relationship at that time.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 Aguilar threatened Alaina Penelope Zelawa with imminent bodily injury by pointing a handgun at Zelawa and discharging it in her direction as she fled Aguilar. The indictment further alleges Aguilar exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on May 19, 2017 Aguilar threatened to harm Detective David Haley by an unlawful act, by coercing a witness to perjure herself falsely testifying in an official proceeding that she was engaging in a sexual relationship with Detective David Haley.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 30, 2016 after having been convicted on the felony offense of burglary of a habitation October 10, 2012 Aguilar possessed a firearm before the fifth anniversary of release from confinement or possessed a firearm at a location other than his residence.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for delivery of a simulated controlled substance, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on January 6, 2017 Aguilar delivered to a confidential informant a simulated controlled substance purported to be the controlled substance methamphetamine.
Antonio Jaso Aguilar was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on February 9, 2017 Aguilar threatened Brandi Wright with imminent bodily injury by threatening to kill her while exhibiting a black pistol during commission of the assault. Such threat was allegedly made in retaliation against Wright due to her service as a prospective witness.
Earl Henry McMillian was indicted for evading arrest, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on August 19, 2016 McMillian, while using a vehicle, intentionally fled Center Police Officer Andrew Williams.
Earl Henry McMillian was indicted for driving while intoxicated with child passenger, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 19, 2016 McMillian operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated, by reason of the introduction of alcohol into the body, while the vehicle was occupied by a passenger younger than 15 years of age.
Reno Nale was indicted for false report, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on August 3, 2016 Nale initiated a report of a possible suicide by tying a grey string around his neck and tying it to a bar. It is further alleged Nale knew the report was false or baseless and would ordinarily cause action by an official agency organized to deal with emergencies, Center Police Department.
Brad Adams was indicted for theft, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on November 7, 2016 Adams unlawfully appropriated by acquiring or exercising control over $13,800 belonging to Shelby Capital Adjusters LLC.
Dakota Rogers was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on July 23, 2016 Rogers operated an automobile without the consent of Neal McFadden, the owner.
W.A. Nichols was indicted for deadly conduct, third degree felony. The indictment alleges on April 9, 2016 Nichols discharged a firearm at or in the direction of Justin Taylor.
Aubrey Shanyae Cooks was indicted for credit card/debit card abuse, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on May 26, 2012 exercised control over a debit card from Charles Burrows without his consent.
(Some of the following content contained within indictments is of a sensitive nature and may not be suitable for younger viewers.)
Eric Bernard Carpenter was indicted for aggravated sexual assault, first degree felony. The indictment alleges on January 1, 2014 through April 13 Carpenter caused the penetration of the female sexual organ of a child who was younger than 14 years of age, and not the spouse of Carpenter, with Carpenter's sexual organ.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident)
- Marcus Vantrell Booker, possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), third degree felony (August 24, 2016).
- Timothy Orme, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), state jail felony (August 23, 2016).
- Timothy Orme, failure to comply with registration requirements, third degree felony (August 23, 2016).
- Mark Lee Seifried, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first degree felony (August 11, 2016).
- Randle Roydell Calhoun, possession of a controlled substance (phencyclidine - PCP), third degree felony (September 22, 2016).
- Dennis Jacoby Jackson, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second degree felony (April 14, 2016).
- Dennis Wayne Johnson, failure to comply with registration requirements, third degree felony (September 16, 2016).
- Richard Elmo Coon, failure to comply with registration requirements, second degree felony (September 1, 2016).
- Luis Alberto Ruiz, failure to comply with registration requirements, state jail felony (January 6, 2017).
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
September 8, 2017 - The Shelby County Commissioners' Court met Thursday, August 31, for their first special meeting to review weekly expenses.
The new weekly meeting schedule of the commissioners' court is due to an opinion given by Texas Attorney Ken Paxton indicating the county would be liable for payments not specifically authorized by the commissioners.
Bills to be paid before the next meeting were presented to the commissioners.
The commissioners began going down the list of bills for examination and for use as an example Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, selected a bill for vehicle repairs submitted by Robert Hairgrove, Precinct 5 Constable.
"That's what I disagree about this system that we're embarking on is if they've got it in the budget they're going to go ahead and spend it anyway. But, once they expend it, if we don't agree with paying it we're going to get sued for it. It's kind of a backwards setup," said McSwain.
McSwain proposed if the county is going to "micromanage" everything, then permission should be sought for such expenditures. He said he's uncomfortable with the procedures they're now having to go through and he doesn't see the benefit.
"If the budget approves the payment, you know, expenditure we're going to have to approve to pay. Only thing I can see is this would help if somebody paid something that wasn't in their, bought something that wasn't in their budget," said McSwain.
Judge Harbison said the reason they are having to go through this process is because of the law and the Attorney General's opinion on the issue making it so the treasurer cannot write the check for bills without first being approved by the commissioners.
"Even though it's in their budget and it's allowable for them to use it within their budget, the whole process is it has to be approved by court before she can," said Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge.
McSwain questioned how they know when any item presented is the best deal there could have been in making the purchase.
Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, explained for the commissioners his and the treasurer's duties. He said when the bills come through, his responsibility is to make sure that what is presented is budget appropriate.
"I'm not looking at the amount, I'm not looking at who it is, I'm just looking to see what it is and make sure that it is a county appropriate, prudent expenditure," said Porterfield.
The treasurer's job is to disburse the funds and make certain they are available. He said the process of verifying what the county will or will not pay for is a different matter.
When a budget is prepared it is within statute the budget is prepared by line item. A that time whoever the vendor may be is not known, only that the expenditure is a possibility in the future.
"The point is well taken if we're going to have expenditures like this, then maybe we need discuss it in court first before the expenditure takes place," said Porterfield.
Porterfield explained that procedure would be to have a purchase order and present that to the court, before the service or purchase is completed.
Shelby County does not have a purchasing department and he suggested that was the scenario which fit with what McSwain was proposing.
"You also have to remember, because you're dealing with elected officials, you know you're giving them and they have the discretion to run their office as they see fit, " said Porterfield. "Your responsibility is to make sure that it's a prudent expenditure that fits the budget and we have the funds available for it and go from there."
Further discussion was had on the issue and even the possibility of establishing a purchasing order department was something that may be investigated. Porterfield proposed, to save the county money, to advise any county officials or departments to bring any purchases which may be out of the ordinary before the commissioners for consideration before moving forward.
A motion carried to approve paying the weekly expenses.
September 8, 2017 - DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers Felon of the Week Program is asking for the public’s help in locating/identifying suspect(s) wanted for the following crime.
The suspect pictured in the photo’s is wanted for stealing items from the saddle tack shop in Stonewall, La. It appears in the photo of the pickup that the door doesn’t close and the suspect held on to it while driving off. The vehicle is an older model white ford F150. Any information on this suspect you are asked to contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. Remember we don’t want your name just your information, all callers remain anonymous.
DeSoto Parish Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that results in the suspects arrest, anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers line at 1-800-505-STOP(7867) all calls are confidential or contact the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318)872-3956. Sgt. Shawn Parker
September 8, 2017 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, September 11, 2017 for the 273rd District Court Honorable Charles R. Mitchell presiding has been cancelled due to the scheduled cases being resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
(Update): The District Clerk's phone line is currently not functioning, making it impossible for people to call in to check with the office.
September 8, 2017 - Rough Rider Drive in Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash as students made their way to school Friday, September 9, 2017.
Center Police Officers responded to the scene and Center ISD police assisted at the location by directing traffic around the crash scene.
According to Center Police Officer Kenneth King, at 7:30am a white Dodge Journey driven by Sabrina Edenshaw, 31, of Center was westbound on Rough Rider Drive with two minor passengers.
Due to a distraction within the vehicle, Edenshaw failed to control speed and collided with the rear of a green Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck driven by a 16-year-old driver with two minor passengers.
No injuries were reported resulting from the crash and no citations were reported to have been issued at the time of the incident.
September 7, 2017 - Allison Scull, with Bounds Insurance Agency, presented a quote to the county for worker's compensation insurance during the August 28 meeting of the Shelby County Commissioners' Court. According to Scull, a company Bounds Insurance works with called Deep East Texas Self Insurance Fund is responsible for insuring a lot of cities, counties and schools. The quote presented to the county by the company for three years was $61,999.
Scull explained for the commissioners the quoted rate is a fixed one that will not change, simplifying budgeting.
Jheri-Lynn McSwain, AgriLife County Extension Agent, started off by thanking the commissioners and county judge for the new facility provided by the county for she and her colleagues to use.
"I used to love coming to work and now I can't really stay away. It's just been outstanding," said McSwain. "Y'all did a lot for us and we truly appreciate it."
Mcswain explained the promising results of the new location have been apparent. She presented the commissioners with pictures of the 4H kick-off program which was held on the weekend preceding the meeting.
The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences will be holding a conference in Omaha, Nebraska and McSwain requested permission to use some of her allotted county funds to attend the conference in October.
McSwain reported she recently was awarded 11 of 18 by the State Association for Family Consumer Sciences in August. McSwain was also named the recipient of the Greenwood Frysinger National Award in recognition of the Shelby County Community Garden project as well as garden projects that have been installed in three of the local school districts.
Of the 22 awards to be given on the national level at the conference, McSwain is to receive three.
For the knowledge of the commissioners Clint Porterfield, Shelby County Auditor, informed them the operating supply fund for the Extension office is over budget. He said as long as the commissioners haven't any issue with a line item transfer at the end of the year to put funds into the department
A motion carried to approve the use of county funds for the trip to Nebraska.
The Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton, has issued an opinion whether a commissioners court may enter an order authorizing the treasurer to pay certain types of claims and bills prior to presenting the actual claims or bills to the commissioners court.
Ann Blackwell, Shelby County Treasurer, addressed the court about what the opinion means for Shelby County. According to Blackwell several items which the commissioners court approved through a resolution or some other action of the court for pre-approved payments in between commissioner meeting dates by the treasurer can no longer be handled in that manner.
She listed such items as credit card bills for Staples, Exxon or Shell. Utilities, court approved contract payments such as for Pitney-Bowes postage machine, copiers and printers, elevator expenses, Juvenile Probation and Adult Probation, indigent medical bills, reimbursements to county employees, janitorial services bill at the end of the month, donations to Hope Clinic, Shelby County Outreach Ministries, rent to Margie Anderson, and attorney fee vouchers.
"There's nothing that I write a check for that Clint [Porterfield, County Auditor,] doesn't see first. So, he knows anything that we pay outside of court, but what this is saying is that we can't do that, that y'all are supposed to approve including payroll every claim against the county before we write a check for it," said Blackwell.
She explained some items, if they have to wait until the next court date could be past due.
"I didn't have a problem with this until I read the line that said 'ultimately the treasurer would be the one responsible,'' said Blackwell.
She described a scenario where she theoretically could pay a bill and the commissioners disagree with that payment, leaving her liable for whatever the cost of that payment was.
If the commissioners were to meet each week for the payment of bills, it would have to be an open meeting just like the traditional regular and special meetings have been.
Blackwell's hope is the legislature will resolve the issue, because counties with over 190,000 population can appoint the treasurer to make the payments.
Porterfield addressed the court and provided some history on past decisions of the court.
"Back in December of 2011 when we made our first, basically, resolution of the items to be pre-paid. We then came back May of 2012 to add to that list and in that particular meeting we discussed putting items which commissioners purchased on a pre-approval list having to do with equipment, vehicles and road materials," said Porterfield.
He continued to state this provided the commissioners to, if a deal presented itself, take advantage of it on behalf of the county without waiting on the next commissioners court meeting.
According to Porterfield there are many counties that have utilized the same process as Shelby County, and they are not alone in this issue. He believes the process has worked for the county.
"The problem with this opinion is that it's basically telling us what the law already says, and the law says in a county of our size we cannot defer the review process after the check has already been cut, or actually been processed. So it's basically putting it back on commissioners court to review that listing before we make one check," said Porterfied.
He explained there really would be no way around the issue in following the statute and law without meeting almost every week.
A motion was carried and approved to meet every Wednesday at 1pm as needed.
Blackwell followed up with a final statement for county officials and offices.
"With this, all the county officials and county offices need to understand they can't just run in and get the check anymore," said Blackwell.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay monthly expenses. 2. Use of county funds for Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent-FCS, to attend National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences conference in Omaha, Nebraska. 3. Meet every Wednesday at 1pm as needed. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Janitorial Services bids for further consideration.
September 6, 2017 - The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
On August 31, 2017, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, 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.
N.E.W. Water Supply 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. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of September 6, 2017.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas 75973. Call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
August 31, 2017 - Boil Water Notice for N.E.W. Water System effective August 31, 2017 until further notice.
Due to a major break in a main line at Plant 1, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS # 2030034 to notify all customers on the Northwest side of San Augustine County, this includes FM 711, Harmony Community, Fountain Town and customers on or near CR 203. Customers are to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., 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 the 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 N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
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