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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.
September 6, 2017 - State Highway 7 was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Tuesday, September 5, 2017 involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck.
The Center Fire Department was dispatched to the scene of the incident, along with Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers.
ACE EMS responded to the scene to treat one driver involved in the crash.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Sean Smith, at 3:20pm a green 2006 Freightliner driven by Alex Thomas, 43, of Center hauling a log trailer traveling eastbound and was preparing to make a right hand turn into a private driveway.
Raul Resendiz, 38, of Center was also eastbound in a black 1991 Ford F-250 dually when he failed to control speed and struck the right front of the log trailer, causing major damage to the front left quarter of the truck. Both vehicles came to rest in the middle of the eastbound traffic lane.
Resendiz was transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of unknown injuries.
Resendiz was issued citations for fail to control speed, no driver's license, and no insurance. The crash remains under investigation.
The Center Fire Department provided traffic control at the scene until the roadway was clear.
September 4, 2017 - State Highway 7 just under a mile and a half from Joaquin just before CR 3189 was the scene of a major crash Friday, September 1, 2017.
Joaquin Volunteer firemen and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Kurtes Lawrence responded first to the incident scene. The firemen provided traffic control at the scene and righted a boat involved in the incident which had overturned and was gushing fuel from a ruptured tank.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper John Hallenbeck, at 5:16pm a red 2016 Kia driven by Michael Thomas, 28, of Louisiana with a minor child of unknown age in a child safety seat, was eastbound on State Highway 7 East. Thomas was falling asleep when he left the roadway to the right and over corrected left causing the Kia to return to the roadway and into the westbound traffic lane.
A grey 2015 Ford F-150, hauling a Glastron boat, driven by Jack Davis, 65, of Louisiana with a 15-year-old male passenger was in the westbound traffic lane at that time as they Kia entered the westbound lane and struck the boat trailer. This caused the trailer to detach from the truck and the boat to eject from the trailer, traveling into the barrow ditch on the westbound side of the road upside down.
The trailer and the Kia came to rest in the middle of the westbound traffic lane, and Davis was able to pull the truck onto the westbound shoulder.
Davis' wife was traveling being the boat in a Lexus SUV hauling a popup camper and had an apparrent near-miss with the Kia and boat trailer.
Thomas was issued a citation for no driver's license.
September 3, 2017 - The 200 block of Jones Street in Center was the scene of a shooting incident Sunday, September 3, 2017.
Center Police officers and ACE EMS responded to the scene at 12:20pm, and the officers immediately took one subject into custody while EMS personnel treated the shooting victim.
The apparent victim of the incident was transported from the scene by ACE EMS to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department. She was then flown by a Flight for Life helicopter to another hospital for treatment of her injuries.
According to the Center Police Department jail log Anitia D. Reed, 53, of San Augustine was arrested by Officer Andrew Williams at 12:28pm on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resist arrest, and possession of a controlled substance.
Further information is unavailable at this time, and will be updated on Shelby County Today as it becomes available.
September 1, 2017 Lufkin – The Texas Transportation Commission on Thursday approved a speed limit change on SH 7 East in Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Shelby counties.
The approval came after a speed study and reevaluation on a portion of roadway located on SH 7 East. Commissioners approved the recommendation for the speed limit to be lowered from 75 mph to 65 mph. The change will become effective and enforceable once the new signs are set.
The section of SH 7 East that will be changed includes .3 miles east of SL 224 in Nacogdoches to Martinsville. The change also includes just east of Martinsville and continues on SH 7 through San Augustine County and will end at the Center city limits in Shelby County.
The commission also approved construction projects totaling $963.7 million statewide, and included a $1.5 million construction project located in Houston County and Trinity County.
The project is designed to upgrade metal guard rail and safety treat fixed objects on FM 227 and FM 357. Work limits on FM 227 include from SH 21 to SH 7 and on FM 357 from SH 7 to the Trinity County line in Houston County and from SH 94 to FM 2262 in Trinity County.
L.C. Jordan & Son will serve as contractor for the project. As work begins on this project, motorists are urged to obey all signage, reduce speed and stay alert to moving equipment and workers near the roadway.
August 31, 2017 - As of 5pm, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting less than 20 outages after Hurricane Harvey swept through the area.
Crews began the day with just over 3,300 outages. By 8am, power had been restored to half and less than 1,000 by noon. Crews will continue to work until all power is restored.
We commend DETEC and contract crews for their diligent work and thank you all for your patience as they work to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
If you are still experiencing an outage, please call 1-800-392-5986.
As of 2 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 552 outages.
Panola County: 1 meter out
Nacogdoches County: 1
San Augustine County: 57
Sabine County: 268
Jasper County: 3
Newton County: 222
As of 11am, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 1,486 outages.
Panola County: 1 meter out
Shelby County: 46
Nacogdoches County: 2
San Augustine County: 130
Sabine County: 662
Jasper County: 1
Newton County: 591
Today, as flood waters recede, crews are diligently working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. With just over 3,300 outages at 8am this morning, crews have made considerable progress, restoring more than half by 11am.
As of 8:30am, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 3,301 outages.
Panola County: 1 meter out
Shelby County: 226
Nacogdoches County: 51
San Augustine County: 480
Sabine County: 774
Jasper County: 100
Newton County: 1,546
Overnight flash flood warnings and road closures greatly slowed work. Today, as flood waters recede, crews are diligently working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible.
DETEC would like to remind members to be safe - STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Consider them all to be live and dangerous.
Call DETEC at 1-800-392-5986 to report downed lines.
August 30, 2017 - As of 7:30 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 2,271 outages.
Outages by County:
Panola County: 1 meter out
Shelby County: 5
Nacogdoches County: 276
San Augustine County: 517
Sabine County: 459
Jasper County: 81
Newton County: 843
As of 4:45 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 2,605 outages.
Outages by County:
Shelby County: 2 meters out
Nacogdoches County: 123
San Augustine County: 784
Sabine County: 1,211
Jasper County: 81
Newton County: 311
As of 2 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 3,188 outages.
Outages by County:
Shelby County: 43 meters out
Nacogdoches County: 29
San Augustine County: 1,117
Sabine County: 1,688
Jasper County: 3
Newton County: 219
As of 12 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 3,323 outages as Tropical Storm Harvey moves through the area.
Outages by County:
Shelby County: 30 meters out
Nacogdoches County: 575
San Augustine County: 372
Sabine County: 1,896
Jasper County: 3
Newton County: 350
As of 10 AM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 3,660 outages as Tropical Storm Harvey moves through the area.
Call DETEC at 1-800-392-5986 to report downed lines.
Outages by County:
Shelby County: 63 meters out
Nacogdoches County: 403
San Augustine County: 515
Sabine County: 1,345
Jasper County: 982
Newton County: 328
With the current rainfall levels and the projected rainfall in the future, please understand that restoration efforts may be slowed considerably to ensure the safety of our lineman and contractors.
- If you or someone in your household is dependent upon life support, identify a location you can move to that has an alternate power source.
- Check backup generators for proper operations and remember to carefully follow generator safety precautions including NOT operating a generator indoors.
- Monitor local weather conditions.
- Follow warnings from local authorities. If you must travel, check drivetexas.org, for road closures and hazard information.
Please report outages, by calling: 1-800-392-5986
August 30, 2017 (Update 9:05pm) - Alert: FM 353 in San Augustine County, 6 miles east of SH 147 and 2 miles west of SH 87, is closed after a road base failure.
(Update 12:31pm) - Alert: Flooded roads reported in Shelby County: FM 3184 at Blue Creek and FM 139 at Bayou Siepe. #turnarounddontdrown
(Update 9:13am) - Alert: SH 21 at Maddux Creek Bridge at FM 330 and FM 3448 in Sabine County is flooded. Don't drive through flooded roadways. #TurnAroundDontDrown
(Update 8:43am) - Alert: SH 87 South at Sandy Creek near FM 3315 in Sabine County is flooded. Don't drive through flooded roadways. #TurnAroundDontDrown
(Update 8:09am) - Alert: US 87 South in Sabine County is flooded and impassable. Visit drivetexas.org for all closures. #TurnAroundDontDrown
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