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September 12, 2018 - The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has recorded another earthquake in the Timpson area.
According to the USGS a 2.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 5.0 km at 11:30pm, September 11 lasting for 5.7 seconds.
This is the second recorded earthquake in the Timpson area for the month of September as the first, a 3.2 magnitude, was recorded on September 4, 2018.
Related articles:
Timpson Reported Site of New 3.2 Earthquake
Timpson Citizens Share Earthquake Woes with Railroad Commission Representatives
Shelby County Residents Voice Concerns Over Earthquakes on Horizon
Letter from Commissioner Christian Regarding the Earthquakes in Timpson
September 11, 2018 - Emergency personnel were first alerted by a Center Volunteer fireman of the incident at the intersection of CR 4356 at 5:45pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.
Units from the Shelby County Sheriff's Department and Center Police Department arrived with the Center Fire Department to assist at the scene, while Center firemen used Jaws of Life to extricate occupants from the passenger car involved and move them to waiting ambulances.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a blue 2007 Peterbilt truck-tractor semi-trailer hauling a load of shavings was driven by Derek Lampkin, 51, of Lufkin and was northbound on US 96.
At that time a silver 2003 Pontiac passenger car driven by Magdiel Cruz, 38, of Tenaha was stopped in the inside lane preparing to make a left turn on to CR 4356 when Lampkin failed to control speed and struck the Pontiac from the rear.
The truck-tractor overturned on the highway and came to rest on its left and across the entire highway. The Pontiac traveled off the roadway to the left and into the southbound shoulder where it came to rest.
Cruz was not reported to have been injured from the crash. A 14-year-old male child was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Natibida Ramirez, 41, a passenger in the Pontiac succumbed to her injuries and was pronounces deceases at the scene by Jackie Kirkwood, Shelby County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Ramirez was transported from the scene by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.
The crash is being investigated by Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones who was assisted by Trooper Daniel Dellenger and Trooper Koonce.
At this time, no additional information is available and the crash remains under investigation.
Later, TxDOT arrived at the scene as well as Shelby County Constables Jake Metcalf and Roy Cheatwood.
September 10, 2018 - Effective Immediately, the Order Restricting Outdoor Burn (Burn Ban) has been lifted for the unincorporated portions of Nacogdoches County.
August 29, 2018 - Effective immediately, Nacogdoches County is under a burn ban. The commissioner's court placed this into effect this morning at the commissioner's court meeting. Due to the lack of rain and dry conditions in our county we ask that all our citizens please comply with this order. This order will remain in effect until conditions change for our county and the order is rescinded by the County Judge.
This order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for (1) Firefighter training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; or (3) planting or Harvesting of agricultural crops; or, (4) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Natural Resources Code 3.048 and meet the standards of Natural Resources Code 3.04.
In accordance with Local Government Code 2.081(h), a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor.
Effective September 7, 2018 the water on Denning Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.
September 5, 2018 - Due to a break in the line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Denning Rural Water System PWS #2030004 to notify customers FM 1196 as well as West of FM 354 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 Denning Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972 or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) can also be reached at 512-239-4691.
September 8, 2018 - U.S. 59 south of Tenaha was the scene of a major crash involving two 18-wheelers early Saturday, September 8, 2018, 1:30am which resulted in one driver's death. The truck-tractors collided head-on and came to rest in the middle of the highway just inside the Tenaha city limit. One of the trucks ignited in flames following the collision.
Emergency personnel from Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department, and Woods Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and the assistance of Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was requested for the use of their Jaws of Life.
According to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2017 Peterbilt truck-tractor semi-trailer driven by David Forehand, 57, from El Lago, TX. was traveling south on US 59. The Peterbilt reportedly swerved to the left to avoid a tree that had fallen into the roadway and drove into the northbound lanes and struck a 2002 Sterling truck-tractor semi-trailer head-on that was driven by Joseph Cargal, 68, from Conroe, TX. The Sterling truck-tractor semi-trailer then caught fire.
Cargal was pronounced deceased at the scene by Jackie Kirkwood, Shelby County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4.
Forehand was transported to a Nacogdoches hospital and later transported to a Tyler hospital for treatment.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers are currenlty investigating the crash. Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were on scene to assist in redirecting traffic from the roadway in conjunction with firemen and TxDOT.
Investigators and first responders continue to work to clear the scene. Motorists are urged to use caution in this area.
September 8, 2018 - US 59 Closure: Clean up could continue until mid-day on US 59 just south of Tenaha after an early morning crash. All lanes remain closed. Detours are in place. Expect some delays.
September 5, 2018 - Following long involved discussions over the receipt of a donated Crown Victoria to the Precinct 3 Constable office, the Shelby County Commissioners approved the donation.
According to Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, Kyle Allen - owner of Joaquin Quick Stop, offered help to Cheatwood and his office. In response, Cheatwood stated he would like to have a car donated to the office for use in the school zone to slow traffic in the morning.
Allen presented Cheatwood with the vehicle which had been in Timpson.
A motion carried to accept the vehicle, approve $450 for work already done to the vehicle, $400 liability insurance yearly for the vehicle and for an interlocal agreement with City of Joaquin to furnish the fuel.
All commissioners voted for the acceptance with the exception of the abstention of Bradley Allen, Commissioner Precinct 4, whose son made the donation.
The commissioners considered the possibility of a reserve deputy to work with Constable Cheatwood; however, the item was tabled. The motion to table required getting any liability insurance issues worked out and what it would cost to change the county insurance policy to cover reserve officers.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:21am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses.
2. Pay current payroll.
3. Take action on current burn ban.
4. Donation of a 2008 Crown Vic to Constable Pct 3 from Kyle Allen.
5. Accept the vehicle, approve $450 for work already done to the vehicle, $400 liability insurance yearly for the vehicle and for an interlocal agreement with City of Joaquin to furnish the fuel.
6. Discuss and possibly approve a deputy constable position for Constable Precinct 3.
7. Adjourn.
Agenda items tabled during the meeting:
1. Deputy constable position for Constable Precinct 3. Work out any liability insurance issues and find out what it would cost to change the county insurance policy to cover reserve officers.
September 12, 2018 - The Commissioners’ Court removed the burn ban during their September 12th meeting.
September 5, 2018 - During the Shelby County Commissioners Court, the Court voted to keep the Burn Ban another week. Additional Commissioners Court details coming soon.
September 5, 2018 - A special called meeting of the Board of Trustees of Center Independent School District (CISD) was held on Friday, August 31, 2018 beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Center Independent School District Administrative Office Building located at 107 Private Road 605 in Center, Texas 75935.
1. Call Meeting to Order and Establish a Quorum - Matthew Mettauer called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. and declared a quorum. Present was Greg Hubbard; John Henry Holloway; Daphne LaRock; Casey Lout; Matthew Mettauer; Betty McDaniel, Director of Finance and James Hockenberry, Superintendent. Absent was Allison Johnson and Brett Scarber. Visitors were Danny Berry, Berry and Clay Construction; David Golden, McKinley Golden Architects and Teresa Richard, Director of Instruction and Response to Intervention.
2. Invocation and Pledges of Allegiance - John Henry Holloway led the invocation and Greg Hubbard led the Pledges of Allegiance.
3. Consider Approval of Amendments to the 2017-2018 Budget - A motion was made by John Henry Holloway, seconded by Greg Hubbard to amend the 2017-2018 budget for balancing, closing and readying for the annual audit. The amendments were: TRS on behalf of payments, August accruals, Operating, Construction, Cafeteria, Debt Service and Student Activity accounts. The motion carried 5-0.
4. Public Hearing on the Adoption of the 2018-2019 Proposed Budget and Proposed Tax Rate - A public hearing was held on the adoption of the 2018-2019 proposed budget and proposed tax rate.
5. Consider Adoption of the 2018-2019 Budget - John Henry Holloway moved that the Board adopt for the 2018-2019 school year the following budgets: the Maintenance and Operation (M&O) budget of $22,595,376, the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program budget of $1,461,229; the Interest and Sinking (I&S) budget of $2,158,242; the QSCN budget $467,000 and the Construction Fund budget of $12,000,000. The motion was seconded by Casey Lout. The motion carried 5-0.
6. Consider Adoption of the 2018-2019 Tax Rate - John Henry Holloway moved that the Board adopt for the 2018-2019 school year the following tax rates: the Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate of $1.1700 and the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate of $0.2438 for a total tax rate of $1.4138. The motion was seconded by Daphne LaRock. The motion carried 5-0.
7. Consideration to Award Proposal for Package A of the Bond Program, the Construction of CES Parking Lot and Driveway Expansion Project - A motion was made by John Henry Holloway, seconded by Greg Hubbard to approve the proposal for Package A of the Bond Program; the Construction of CES Parking Lot and Driveway Expansion Project for the base bid of $494,280 and Alternate #2 Tower Canopy for a guaranteed maximum amount of $645,006. The Package A Proposal Cost with the Alternate came in well under the planning budget and cost estimate for this package of the Bond program. The motion carried 5-0.
8. Consideration to Approve Waivers for the 2018-2019 School Year - A motion was made by Casey Lout, seconded by Daphne LaRock to approve the following waivers for the 2018-2019 school year: Modified Schedule/State Assessment Testing Days, Timeline for Accelerated Instruction and Teacher Data Portal of the Texas Assessment Management System. The motion carried 5-0.
9. Consideration to Change the September 13th Regular Monthly Meeting - The regular meeting of the Board will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at noon at Center Middle School.
10. Adjournment - A motion was made by Casey Lout, seconded by Greg Hubbard to adjourn the meeting at 12:36 p.m. The motion carried 5-0.
September 4, 2018 - Timpson has once again been reported to have experienced an earthquake Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 10:06am.
According to the United States Geological Survey, an M 3.2 earthquake occurred 7km northwest of Timpson, Texas at a depth of 5.0 km.
Timpson was the location of a 4.8 magnitude earthquake May 17, 2012 and several other similar earthquakes after that time.
Related articles:
Timpson Citizens Share Earthquake Woes with Railroad Commission Representatives
Shelby County Residents Voice Concerns Over Earthquakes on Horizon
Letter from Commissioner Christian Regarding the Earthquakes in Timpson
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