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October 20, 2018 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department would like to make everyone aware of a possible phone scam taking place in our area. It has come to our attention that someone from a 430 area code has been calling citizens in the Joaquin area supposedly asking for donations to the “volunteer fire department”.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department has never, does not, and will not solicit donations over the phone. We deeply appreciate all of our supporters who so generously donate to our department.
We do not want to see anyone tricked into sending their hard earned money to someone who isn’t affiliated with a local organization. If you do not live in the Joaquin area and you receive one of these calls, we encourage you to contact your local volunteer fire department before sending any money to anyone. As far as we know, none of the seven fire departments in Shelby County solicit funds in this manner.
Again, we thank you for your support.
October 19, 2018 - Tree removal is currently underway on Nacogdoches Street in Center near the intersection of Houston Street Friday, October 19.
Travelers may need to consider taking an alternate route to prevent delays in reaching their destination.
Part of the tree fell on September 22, 2018 during rainy weather and blocked the street until the large branch was cleared. A portion of the old elementary school, currently in use, was damaged when the tree broke.
The removal of the tree will help facilitate the ability of the county to repair the building and prevent further danger of the tree falling.
October 19, 2018 - Nacogdoches Street will be blocked between the intersections of College and Houston Streets while a tree is being removed this morning, October 19.
The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
October 17, 2018 - On October 12, 2018, 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 October 17, 2018.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220West Columbia Street San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
October 17, 2018 - The jury that has been summoned for Monday, October 22, 2018 for the 273rd District Court, Honorable Charles R. Mitchell, Judge presiding, has been cancelled.
All cases have been passed or settled. Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
Culvert washed out on CR 3047. Photo submitted by Holly Bennett.
October 17, 2018 - The County Commissioners warn the public of these road hazards:
- CR 3737 is flooded
- CR 3267 is flooded through the Flat Fork creek bottom
- CR 1049 has several spots with water over the road
- CR 3047 (old Jones road) closed at the half way point with a culvert failure
- CR 3047 just off CR 3012 is flooded on both sides of the bridge
- FM 414 has water over the road 1 mile down the road off of Hwy 87
- CR 1006 has reported flooding.
More closures may be announced through out the day.
October 16, 2018 - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is conducting enforcement efforts across the state focusing specifically on violations of the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law. These periodic enforcement operations by DPS Troopers are planned throughout the year at various locations in Texas, with several operations planned in October. Operations will take place in the Houston, Bryan, Rosenberg, Conroe, Liberty, Cleveland, Huntsville, Beaumont, Matagorda, Columbus, Lufkin, and Jasper areas throughout the day on Wednesday, October 17. The Department of Transportation will be participating in a non-enforcement capacity.
The law, originally passed in 2003, requires motorists to move over or slow down when certain vehicles – including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks – are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.
“Our Highway Patrol Troopers and other officers risk their lives every day for the people of Texas, and their safety is particularly vulnerable while working on the side of the road, where the slightest mistake by a passing motorist can end in tragedy,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “While our officers are serving and protecting Texans, we’re asking drivers to do their part by adhering to the law – simply move over or slow down.”
Specifically, Texas law states that a driver must either:
- Vacate the lane closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction) or
- Slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph)
Drivers should only move over if they can do so safely and legally; otherwise, they should slow down.
“In light of the numerous vehicle crashes that occur in Texas and across the nation on a daily basis, and the unfortunate fact that many still violate the state law that has been in effect for nearly 15 years, we are increasing our enforcement and education efforts related to this law,” said Director McCraw. “In addition to complying with the law to protect those who work on the side of the road, we encourage motorists to show the same courtesy to fellow drivers stopped along the roadways. Let’s all get home safely.”
Violations of the law can result in a fine of up to $200; the fine increases to $500 if there is property damage. If violators cause bodily injury, they can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and a maximum fine of $2,000.
Preliminary data from January through August 2018 shows that DPS issued more than 29,000 warnings and citations to motorists violating the Move Over /Slow Down law.
October 15, 2018 - On October 11, 2018 the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required our public water system Flat Fork WSC, PWS ID 2100007 to issue a Boil Water Notice (BWN) to inform our customers that due to the presence of contaminants or an interruption in service, water from our system must be boiled prior to consumption.
Our system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore adequate pressure, disinfectant levels, and/or bacteriological quality and has provided TCEQ with testing results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling as of October 15, 2018.
If you have questions, contact Gayle Warr at 936-591-5502.
If a customer wishes to reach TCEQ, they may call 512-239-4691.
October 11, 2018 - Due to a water main break that has occurred in the water system, the Texas Natural Resource Commission has required the system to notify customers to boil their water prior to consumption. The notification excludes customers on FM 2468.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you.
If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Gayle Warr at 936-591-5502.
October 11, 2018 (Click here for full official notice with Spanish) - Notice is hereby given that the polling places listed below will be open for 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., November 6, 2018, for voting in the general election to elect Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, and state, district, county, and precinct officers.
Locations of the Polling Places
- Precinct 1 N (Center) at First United Methodist Church, 211 N. Porter Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SO (Center) at Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SE (Center) at Pineywoods Family Outreach Center, 255 Haley Drive, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 SW (Center) at Center Community House, 423 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 1 W (Center) at JOI Ranch Building, 5198 FM 2026, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 2 (Aiken) at Excelsior School, 11270 St. Hwy 7 W, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 3 (Sardis) at Campti Pentecostal Church, 6153 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935
- Precinct 4 (Huxley) at Lydia Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 14998 FM 139, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 5 (Joaquin) at First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 175 Faulkville Road, Joaquin, Texas 75954
- Precinct 6 (Dreka) at Dreka Pentecostal Church, Fellowship Hall, 1193 FM 2427, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 7 (Shelbyville) at First Baptist Church - Shelbyville, Fellowship Hall, 5030 SH 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973
- Precinct 8 (Tenaha) at First United Methodist Church - Schiede Hall, 256 N. George Bowers Drive, Tenaha, Texas 75974
- Precinct 9N (Timpson) at Texas State Bank, 830 N. 1st Street West, Timpson, Texas 75975
- Precinct 9S (Timpson) at Timpson School Gym Foyer, 836 Bear Drive, Timpson, Texas 75975
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at: Shelby County Clerk's Office, 124 Austin Street, Center, Texas between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning on October 22, 2018 and ending November 2, 2018.
Early voting schedule:
October 22 - 7am to 7pm
October 23 to Oct 26 - 8am to 4:30pm
October 27 - 10am to 2pm
October 28 - 12noon to 4pm
October 29 - 7am to 7pm
October 30 to Nov 2 - 8am to 4:30pm
Application for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:
Jennifer Fountain - Shelby County Clerk
P.O. Box 1987 or 124 Austin Street
Center, Texas 75935
Application for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on October 26, 2018.
October 10, 2018 - Center Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire early Monday, October 8, 2018 on Cora Street in Center.
When firemen arrived at the residence of Wyndi Welch, just after 3am, flames had already breached the roof on the rear of the house.
As firemen gained entry to the front of the structure, and through the east side, the flames appeared to be increasing in intensity.
With the benefit of nearby fire hydrants, the CFD ladder truck was utilized to gain an advanced trajectory on the flames and extinguish much of the fire.
The firemen returned to the station at 6:32am.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and the cause remains under investigation.
A dog that lives at the home has gone missing since the fire. The owner has described it as a 13-year-old schnoodle named "Spike." He has a missing back foot and walks with a limp. The dog was last seen around Dr. Golden's Eye Clinic on Louisiana Street. He is an inside dog, is very friendly and loved by his family. Call/text 936-553-7318. Service isn't great, so please text or call 409-625-4245.
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