The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
CENTER, Texas (April 4, 2017) - Last weekend's storms in Shelby County provide a powerful reminder of the need for emergency notification. All Center residents are encouraged to sign up for the Code RED emergency notification system.
"CODE Red is an emergency notification system, which, in the event of an emergency, will call your home or cell phone or send you a text message," explained David Chadwick, the City of Center Mayor. "This is a service that is free to city residents and business owners."
To sign up for Code RED, visit the City website at www.centertexas.org and click on the CODE Red link at the bottom of the page.
City of Center
617 Tenaha Street
Center, Texas 75935
April 3, 2017 - Center Fire Department firemen found themselves in a sticky situation on Saturday, April 1, 2017 as they worked to clean the roadway of corn syrup.
A truck and trailer traveling by the intersection of FM 417 on U.S. Highway 96 lost a portion of its load of corn syrup on the highway. Although the sticky substance quickly adhered to the roadway, travelers found navigating through the viscous substance to be too slippery to navigate safely at high speed.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at around 2:10pm a red 1999 Ford F-550 driven by Wesley Jack Evans, 37, of North Dakota for T2 Honey Company L.L.C. with passenger Kevin Sandgren, 21, was northbound on U.S. 96 and was intending on turning right onto FM 417. Evans abruptly came to a halt and when he turned the truck right a 2500 lb tank full of honey bee syrup came off the trailer and landed in the roadway.
A white 1999 Mazda Protege driven by Alitha Rene Walker, 49, of San Augustine traveled over the slick substance in the roadway and lost control. The vehicle hydroplaned and left the roadway to the right where it came to rest in a ditch with minor damage.
ACE EMS arrived on scene and those involved in the incident refused treatment. No injuries were reported resulting from the incident.
Evans was issued a citation for fail to secure and improperly secured load.
The Center Fire Department continued to hose down the scene and direct traffic around the spillage until they returned to the station at 4pm. Toward the end of the presence of the firemen at the location, TxDOT arrived to assist in the cleanup.
April 2, 2017 - (Update: 1:35) - Tornado Watch 110 is in effect until 9pm for the following counties:
Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler
Tornado Watch 109 is in effect until 6pm for the following counties:
Angeling, Austin, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Liberty, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller.
April 2, 2017 - (Update: 1:25pm) - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for southern Panola County in northeastern Texas, northeastern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, western Shelby County in eastern Texas, northwestern San Augustine County in eastern Texas until 2PM CDT.
At 116 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Melrose, or 8 miles east of Nacogdoches, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD: Tornado.
SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Martinsville around 125 PM CDT. Center around 150 PM CDT. Tenaha around 155 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Arcadia, James, Jericho, Oak Ridge and Stockman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for Southeastern Panola County in northeastern Texas, Central Shelby County in eastern Texas until 1030 AM CDT.
At 941 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 8 miles northeast of Martinsville, or 9 miles southwest of Center, moving north at 45 mph.
Hazard: Tornado and quarter size hail.
Source: Radar indicated rotation.
Impact: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
Locations impacted include: Center, Tenaha, Timpson, Joaquin, Gary City, Arcadia, James, Jericho, Stockman, Woods and Paxton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris
April 2, 2017 - (Update: 1:25pm) - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for southern Panola County in northeastern Texas, northeastern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, western Shelby County in eastern Texas, northwestern San Augustine County in eastern Texas until 2PM CDT.
At 116 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Melrose, or 8 miles east of Nacogdoches, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD: Tornado.
SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Martinsville around 125 PM CDT. Center around 150 PM CDT. Tenaha around 155 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Arcadia, James, Jericho, Oak Ridge and Stockman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for Southwestern De Soto Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Northwestern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Eastern Shelby County in eastern Texas until 1245PM CDT.
At 1141 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Shelbyville, or near Center, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD: Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Shelbyville around 1145 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include James, Huxley and Stanley.
At 1157 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Joaquin, or 10 miles northeast of Center, moving
northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD: Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Logansport around 1210 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include James and Stanley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
April 2, 2017 - A flash flood watch is in effect for all of Northwest and North Central Louisiana and portions of East Texas general south of a line from Yantis to Jefferson from 10am Sunday, April 2, 2017 to 7am Monday, April 3, 2017.
A strong springtime storm system will bring the potential for very heavy rainfall rates over a short time period. Despite the lack of recent soaking rains, the high rainfall rates could be too much for soils to handle, which may result in a threat for flash flooding today and into early Monday morning.
Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-Union-De Soto-Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn-Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk-Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine-Including the cities of Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Mineola, Winnsboro, Quitman, Hawkins, Gilmer, Big Sandy, Jefferson, Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Jacksonville, Rusk, Henderson, Carthage, Nacogdoches, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland.
Very heavy rainfall rates associated with an approaching storm system will bring a threat of flash flooding to the area today through early Monday morning. Showers and thunderstorms may still linger across portions of the area early Monday morning, but the threat for widespread heavy rainfall and flash flooding should end by sunrise Monday.
Widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are likely across much of the area. Localized amounts of 4 inches or higher are possible in locations that receive multiple rounds of thunderstorms or where training thunderstorms develop.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
March 31, 2017 - When it was learned by Shelby County Today (SCT) law enforcement from multiple agencies had arrived at Tenaha ISD on Friday morning, March 31, 2017, SCT went to the scene to inquire about the situation and what was apparently a threat of some kind.
Once at the location, representatives of the Tenaha City Marshal's Office, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety were on scene. Scott Tyner, Superintendent, was in the administration meeting room with Sheriff Willis Blackwell, as well as several other representatives of the Sheriff's Department, TISD Police Chief David Jeter and Tenaha City Deputy Marshal Darren Gray.
Two posts on the Tenaha ISD Facebook page read as follows with the first:
"TISD family....
We have evacuated our students due to a suspicious phone call. Tenaha ISD officials, Tenaha Police, and Shelby County Sheriff's officers are on hand to ensure a safe school. We will update everyone when the all clear is given."
The second post read as follows:
"8:30.... at this time, and with the all clear issued by officers from Texas DPS, Shelby County Sheriff's Dept., and Tenaha City Marshal as well as [TISD Chief David] Jeter, students have returned to their regular classes. These calls are and have been a major disruption to the school environment."
TISD administrators are currently meeting with Sheriff Blackwell and other law enforcement officials to work towards a remedy to help apprehend the person or persons responsible for this criminal act."
Additional information was not immediately released when law enforcement officials left the school grounds, and Superintendent Tyner was meeting with staff when SCT left the scene.
If a statement is issued by school officials, it will be updated at that time.
March 29, 2017 - The intersection of U.S. Highway 59 (North First Street) and State Highway 87 (Jacob Street) was the scene of an incident involving a truck-tractor losing its load Wednesday, March 29, 2017. The truck-tractor was northbound when the incident occurred.
Emergency personnel with the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department were returning from assisting other emergency crews in Rusk County and from a crash on U.S. 59 when they were notified by Timpson City Utility crews at 7:28am of the truck losing its load of what appeared to be granite slabs.
When firemen arrived, they provided traffic control at the scene to prevent any vehicle from colliding with the debris from the truck. TxDOT personnel were dispatched to the location and they cleared the debris from the roadway.
According to Timpson Police Officer Michelle Ashworth, the truck-tractor was driven by Wayne Mendez, 53, of Louisiana and as he was trying to slow down at the intersection the load he was hauling shifted forward. Mendez was trying not to slam on the brakes to prevent the load from hitting the back of his truck. The slabs he was hauling cut right through the straps meant to secure the load, and spilled from the trailer.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
March 29, 2017 - U.S. Highway 59 south of Tenaha was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning, March 29, 2017 to which Texas Department of Public Safety was dispatched and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department responded to assist.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Brent Murray, notification of the crash was received at 7:38am. Upon investigation it was determined a black 2015 Toyota Tacoma driven by Chad Edward Lawrence, 27, of Joaquin was southbound on U.S. 59 when Lawrence states he hydroplaned and crossed the roadway.
The Toyota struck the barrow ditch and overturned coming to rest on its left side, facing south.
No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Lawrence was issued a citation for unsafe speed.
Trooper Murray was assisted at the scene by Trooper Richard Hill.
5:46pm Update: Isolated showers are expected to gradually increase this evening. Thunderstorms will also begin developing in some area, and a few storms could become strong. This activity will move to the northeast at 30 to 40 mph.
March 29, 2017 - At 9:02am CDT, Wednesday, March 29, 2017 the National Weather Service (NWS) in Shreveport, Louisiana forecast a band of showers and isolated thunderstorms will move northeastward into the area during the mid to late morning. Gusty winds and brief heavy rain are possible.
A lake wind advisory remains in effect from 10am this morning to 7pm CDT this evening. A tightening pressure gradient will result in southerly winds increasing to 15 to 20mph with gusts to 30mph. Winds will likely produce a rough chop on area lakes and open waterways, which may be hazardous for boaters, especially for small craft.
A lake wind advisory indicates that winds will cause rough chop on area lakes. Small boats will be especially prone to capsizing.
Short Term Forecast for areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas - Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Caddo, Bossier, De Soto, Bowie, Camp, Morris, Cass, Upshur, Marion, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine, Sabine.
Lake Wind Advisory for areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas - Miller, Lafayette, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine.
Pages
