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The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
September 14, 2023 - On September 6, 2023, 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 14, 2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.
September 6, 2023 - Due to a major break in the line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS #2030034 to notify all customers on FM 711, CR 202, CR 203, CR 205, CR 223, Harmony, Kellyville, Fountain Town and Woodland Acres Communities 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Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.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 14, 2023 - Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative (DETEC) recently sent out a notice of rate change to its members. The rate change will become effective on November 1, 2023 billing. Click here to read the notice of rate change which contains much information regarding changes along with frequently asked questions.
A public meeting will be held at 6pm on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the Angus Theatre, downtown San Augustine, Texas.
September 13, 2023 - The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a public reprimand of former Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4, Josh Ritter, on August 2, 2023.
A meeting held on June 7-8 of the commission saw the conclusion of a review of allegations against Hon. Josh Ritter, Precinct 4 in Tenaha.
As a result, a list of findings and a conclusion were entered into the record by the commission. Judge Ritter has been a licensed attorney since 2018, and was appointed to the position of Justice of the Peace on March 30, 2022. Ethan Myers was arrested for an alleged murder rumored to have been of a satanic nature, and he was magistrated by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1. On November 17, 2022, Myers was appointed attorney Craig Fletcher to represent him.
According to the findings, Judge Ritter went to the Shelby County Jail to arraign two female inmates. While at the jail, Judge Ritter had a personal curiosity about Myers' religion due to the alleged rumors concerning Myers. As a result, Judge Ritter decided he wanted to speak to Myers.
As a Justice of the Peace for Shelby County, Judge Ritter would have been in possession of a jail roster indicating who was housed in the jail and the name of their attorney. The commission reprimand states Judge Ritter didn’t look at the jail roster previous to meeting with Myers, and could also have looked at his county cell phone which he had left in his vehicle.
The meeting between Judge Ritter and Myers on November 28, 2022, was video recorded; however, those videos do not have audio as they were taken in the processing room of the jail. According to the reprimand, Judge Ritter didn’t read Myers his Miranda Rights, and Myers didn’t waive his right to have his attorney present, or his right to remain silent. Nor did Judge Ritter ask Fletcher for permission to speak with Myers or reach out to him after their meeting. During a hearing, Judge Ritter testified under oath he continued speaking with Myers even after being informed during their conversation that Myers had representation. However, in his sworn response to the Commission's Letter of Inquiry, Judge Ritter stated he terminated the conversation with Myers immediately and refused to engage when Myers attempted to continue the conversation.
Sheriff Kevin Windham contacted District Attorney Karren Price and made her aware of a phone call between Myers and his mother in which Myers told his mother of Judge Ritter asking him questions regarding his religious affiliations. The reprimand states Myers relayed that Judge Ritter asked him if he was a member of a satanist church and if he’d ever been to church at all, and Myers told Judge Ritter he was a member of a church.
Once Price made contact with Judge Ritter, according to the reprimand, Judge Ritter confirmed the allegations were true, that he was aware Myers had an attorney, but he did not make contact with Fletcher.
Price gave Judge Ritter until 4:30pm on the day she contacted him to tender his resignation or she would file a petition for his removal from office the following day. Judge Ritter contacted Price and informed her he didn’t know what he did wrong. Price filed a petition on November 30, 2022, he was served with a citation. Judge LeAnn K. Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge, signed a temporary order suspending Judge Ritter from office on December 1, 2022.
A show cause hearing was held on December 16, 2022, in Judge Rafferty’s courtroom regarding Judge Ritter’s temporary suspension and testimony of eight witnesses was heard, including that of DA Price and Judge Ritter.
During the show cause hearing, County Treasurer Ann Blackwell testified to the requirements of county officers that they must adhere to regarding county money which is required to be deposited by the county treasurer under Section 113.022 of the Local Government Code. Blackwell testified Judge Ritter did not complete his reporting on time, including some of the reporting being over 30 days late. The reprimand further states, Blackwell testified when reports were received from Judge Ritter, some were incomplete and/or incorrect.
Judge Rafftery suspended Judge Ritter from the Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 office at the conclusion of the hearing and appointed Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, to temporarily fulfill the duties of Judge Ritter.
Judge Ritter did file a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division, against District Attorney Karren Price and Shelby County Attorney John Price for libel and slander and in violation of his 14th amendment rights. The case was dismissed by request of the plaintiff without prejudice on April 10, 2023.
Judge Ritter resigned from the Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 office in March 2023.
The reprimand concludes, that based upon the record before it and the factual findings recited above, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct has determined that the Honorable Joshua Ritter, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4 of Tenaha, Shelby County, Texas, should be publicly reprimanded for: (1) failing to comply with the law nor maintain professional competence in the law when he questioned Myers, a defendant, without his attorney present or contacting Myer's attorney for permission to speak with Myers either before or after his conversation with Myers, and (2) failing to comply with his reporting requirements in Texas Local Government Code § 113.022 and 114.044, in violation of Canons 2A and 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Ritter's failures in the foregoing respects constituted willful and/or persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of his duties and that cast public discredit on the judiciary or the administration of justice, in violation of Article V, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution.
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Stephanie Elswick, Happy Tails Adoption Center, spoke with the commissioners about some of the programs the group is working on,
September 13, 2023 - The commissioners were presented with a proposal during their August 30, 2023, meeting to treat the historic courthouse for termites.
County Judge Allison Harbison imparted to the commissioners the need to treat the structure, as the infestation had reached the second floor windows. Judge Harbison inquired of Chris Collins, Collins Pest Control, as to how long the county has been contending with the issue, and he said around 40 years.
“He has been to this court several times and the court in the past has never agreed to do the hardcore termite treatment, said Judge Harbison. “They went the inexpensive route and it didn’t work.”
Judge Harbison quickly indicated this was the first time the issue has been presented to the current court of commissioners.
Collins expressed a hope for the treatment to be a “one and done” situation.
“The problem with the courthouse is the walls on the courthouse are four six feet wide and the beams that run through, go into that wall,” said Collins. “You can’t see into that wall void.”
Collins said he usually can warranty a treatment; however, due to the inability to see the entire treatment area that won’t be possible. The chemical utilized to treat the colony works by contact as the termites transfer it to one another and carry it back to the queen, which according to Collins, can live up to 100 years.
Jon Collins mentioned the termites are able to climb up the stones between the mortar and gain access, which also makes it difficult to locate them. They were confident they would be able to get the termite infestation under control, and will over the next five years do everything they can to take care of the infestation and make sure there isn’t a problem.
A motion was made by Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, to move forward with Collins Pest Control and pay [$15,000] for the treatment out of Courthouse Repairs, and was seconded by Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, and the motion carried.
The commissioners were presented with Democrat and Republican judges for the November 7, 2023 election and for two years thereafter and they are as follows:
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, moved to appoint the election judges and the motion was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, the motion carried.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to take $70,000 from account 900 Misc and move it to Working Capital in the Gravel account, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lout, and the motion carried.
The Shelby County Historical Commission (SCHC) presented the court with a proposal for the installation of gutters on the 1913 Courthouse Annex building on the square at a total cost of $14,347 with a down payment of 40% at a cost of $5,747, and then a power washing at a cost of $1,958.50.
Judge Harbison referenced what Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, explained was a line item for $17,872 which would cover the request.
Speaking on behalf of the SCHC, Judge Harbison stated, “We firmly believe any work that we put toward that building when we get ready to do the grant, or ask for money from the state, anything that we have done to improve the building will improve our stature whenever we apply for the grant.”
Rayford Copelin, with the SCHC, stated that a lot of grants will ask for in-kind participation and the investment in the work would count toward that.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to go forward with the gutter project and the power washing on the Annex Building, Commissioner Lout seconded the motion and it carried.
Stephanie Elswick with Happy Tails Adoption Center (HTAC) addressed the Court regarding a Spay and Neuter Low Income Program Proposal and future plans for the Adoption Center. Elswick provided statistics for the commissioners, and the mission statement of HTAC which is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by providing humane education, affordable spay and neuter services and by finding loving homes.
Elswick stated HTAC is not here to judge anyone, or tell them what to do with their animals. Instead, Elswick says they are here to educate, hopefully help with strays in the county, and educate kids. She explained the goal is to eventually have a shelter, which would be the last thing to come, and she hopes for that to be 2026-2027. A couple of starting points Elswick outlined are their “Spay It Forward,” program and “Pet Pantry,” as well as a foster program they are planning to begin in 2024.
The meeting went into an executive session at 10:21am and returned to open session at 10:54am.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to reassign a jailer to a clerical position at the front office at a rate of $17.44 an hour effective August 31, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith, and the motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:56am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. Declaration and Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning. 4. Collins Pest Control to treat the Historic Courthouse for termites. 5. Appoint Election Judges for the County Election Precincts. 6. Commissioner PCT 4 FY2023 budget amendment to recognize Miscellaneous Income and increase expense budget. 7. Donation of HP DesignJet Z5200 Post Script Plotter Serial number CN7378K016 From DETCOG to the 9-1-1 addressing office. 8. Two projects for the Shelby County Historical Commission, to be paid out of their allocation of fund 10-0660-0635: 1) the placement of gutters and a French drain on the 1913 Annex for a cost of $14,347 with a down payment of 40% and 2) power washing the building for a cost of $1,958.50. 9. Reassign a jailer to a clerical position at the front office at a rate of $17.44 an hour effective August 31 10. Adjourn at 10:56am.
September 12, 2023 - The filing period for the Precinct Chair Filing starts September 12th and ends December 11th, 2023, to get your name on the 2024 ballot. If you would like more information or wish to pick up an application, you may contact Patsy Handy at 936-657-5018, leave a message or text 936-488-9209.
You may also contact Mr. Richard Lundie at 936-254-4775.
September 11, 2023 - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a crash on State Loop 500 (SL 500), at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 699 (FM 699), that occurred Sunday, September 10, 2023.
The preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:26pm, a 2017 Lexus passenger car driven by Swee Tee, 33, of Center was traveling west on FM 699, while a 2017 Chevrolet pickup driven by Charles Collier, 34, of Center was traveling south on SL 500. It is reported that the driver of the passenger car disregarded the stop sign and was struck by the pickup on its passenger side.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
Tee, was transported to UT Tyler for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and his passenger, Yin OO, 21, also of Center, was transported to LSU Shreveport for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Collier was transported to a local hospital in Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
September 11, 2023 - Over the week of September 3rd through 9th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 3 calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
On Sunday at 5:47pm a call came in for a vehicle that had run off the road into a culvert just off of FM 2787. The driver and passenger were both unharmed and had exited the vehicle when the JVFD arrived on scene, but their vehicle had to be towed out of the steep ditch.
Wednesday at 2:41pm a page was received for a person with nausea and abdominal pain at a business on Highway 84 East. The JVFD med team responded to check out the patient before Allegiance EMS arrived to transport them to an emergency room.
Friday at 4:52pm a call came in for a minor 2-vehicle accident on the Haslam Strip. No injuries were reported from the accident but the JVFD was on scene in the event traffic control was required.
With that this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
The silver truck belongs to the reported victims in the shooting incident.
September 8, 2023 - Law enforcement officials are investigating a shooting alleged to have taken place on the Timpson square Friday, September 8, 2023, while one vehicle chased another.
According to Josh Tipton, Constable for Precinct 5, at around 3:30pm officials were alerted to the incident by several emergency phone calls about the incident occurring on the square.
“I received numerous phone calls of a shooting up here on the downtown Timpson square, callers stated it was a silver truck and a black pickup chasing each other,” said Constable Tipton. “Shots were fired up here on the square and vehicles actually went across the middle of the square in front of the gazebo.”
Constable Tipton further explained the vehicles involved returned to the roadway on Railroad Lane and traveled over the Jacob Street railroad crossing before arriving at city hall where the black pickup truck “rammed” the silver truck and then left the area.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was informed of the situation, and as Constable Tipton arrived at the scene he says he did his best to keep anyone out of the incident area to help maintain the integrity of the scene for the collection of evidence. Once Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived at the location both agencies secured the scene.
Constable Tipton was contacted by the victims in the incident asking how to report the incident and press charges. Constable Tipton directed them to return to the scene on the square.
Pictured are (from left) Inv. Aaron Jones; Constable Josh Tipton: Lt. Chad Hooper; and Sgt. Misty Ray.
“We are actively working the scene for numerous charges, I know who the suspect is already,” said Constable Tipton.
The suspect is already known to Tipton, who says he knows where he is, where he lives.
No one was reported to have been injured as a result of the incident.
Constable Tipton stated District Attorney Karren Price would be notified and will be involved in the investigation as well.
September 7, 2023 - The City of Tenaha approved an ordinance on August 28, 2023 relating to special events: with names of trailride, riding club, ATV ride, block party, DJ 936, DJ 59, In memory of, or any party or gathering of 25 people or more will be gathered will be required to obtain a permit from the City of Tenaha, Texas and security by a licensed Texas Peace Officer must be present.
September 6, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners have continued the burn ban at this time as of their meeting held September 6, 2023.
The burn ban continues and burning is still not allowed. Those who burn are subject to potential fines.
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