Shelby County Today

November 17, 2015 - According to the National Weather Service, Shelby County remains under a Tornado Watch 4PM. Additional counties under watch include Angelina, Bowie, Cass, Chambers, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Marion, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, and Waller.

The national weather service in Shreveport has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams in Shelby County remains in effect through this evening until 12-midnight. Some areas that will experience flooding include: Center, Timpson, and Tenaha. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause ponding of water in urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage areas and low lying spots.

(Update) Through this evening excessive heavy rainfall is expected to occur as a strong upper level storm system and associated cold front advance into the four state today. A squall line of thunderstorms will bring some heavy rainfall rates while tracking eastward through the region. Total accumulations will range from near two to four inches with locally heavier amounts possible.

Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads. Find alternate routes. It takes only a few inches of swiftly flowing water to carry vehicles away. Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway.

The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely. Move to higher ground. To report flooding, have the nearest law enforcement agency relay your report to the national weather service forecast office.

November 13, 2015 - Tenaha Street in front of Sonic Drive Thru was the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Center on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Traffic was at a steady flow as officers worked to investigate the crash and direct traffic while medical personnel treated those involved in the crash.

According to Center Police Officer John Welch, at 3:35pm a white 2012 GMC Terrain driven by Dillon Tolleson, 23, of Center was traveling south on Tenaha Street when she struck a black Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Michaelene Walker Parker, 50, of Livermore, Colorado.

Parker was stopped with her left indicator on preparing to turn left into Sonic when Tolleson stated she began coughing and didn't see the stopped Toyota. Tolleson and Parker were both transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries.

No citations have been issued at this time, the crash remains under investigation.

Center Police Officer Angela Nash assisted with the investigation and directed traffic at the scene.

November 12, 2015 - Shelbyville was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving a van full of children on Highway 87 Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Shelby County Sheriff's Department Chief Shad Sparks; Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2; and school personnel including Shelbyville ISD Police Chief Jud Matthews all responded to the scene of the crash which had one vehicle in the Family Dollar Parking lot and another in the U.S. Post Office parking lot.

ACE EMS personnel arrived on scene and began treating those involved in the crash. EMS transported the driver and front passenger of the van to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department for treatment. Six children which were in the van that crashed were moved to a Shelbyville ISD van and Elementary School Principal Mike Furlow drove them to the hospital as a precautionary measure and for treatment of some minor injuries.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jeff Pirtle, at 7:45am a brown 2003 Ford Explorer driven by Mildreth Guerra, 21, of Center failed to yield right of way at a stop sign where FM 417 and State Highway 87 South intersect.

Demetrus Lofton, 38, of Center was traveling south on Highway 87 in a white Ford Transit 350 XLT van with front passenger Atovia Smith, 24, of Center and six children on their way to school when Guerra pulled out in front of the van, causing the two to collide. The vehicles deflected off one another sending the van into a ditch and into the Family Dollar parking lot where it came to rest. The Explorer continued into the opposite ditch, over a culvert and into the U.S. Post office parking lot where it came to rest on a curb.

Guerra refused medical treatment at the scene, she was cited for fail to yield right of way at stop sign, no driver's license, and no registration.

November 12, 2015 - Emergency personnel were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash in Timpson at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson on Saturday, November 7, 2015 which has become a regular scene for recent crashes.

The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department provided traffic control while law enforcement officials and ACE EMS personnel checked on those involved in the crash.

According to Timpson Police Officer Robert Hairgrove, at 1:10pm a green 2003 Nissan Altima driven by Patricia Martin, 63, of Tyler with passenger Rita Harp, 79, of Tyler was eastbound on U.S. 84 and stopped at the stop sign.

A red 2012 GMC Acadia driven by Georgia Sharp, 59, of Yazoo, Mississippi was southbound on U.S. 59 when the Nissan pulled out in front of Sharp. Sharp made an evasive maneuver to avoid colliding with the Nissan by swerving to the left; however, to no avail and the front right quarter panel of the Acadia collided with the Nissan.

Martin was cited for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign. No injuries resulting from the crash were reported.

Shelby County Today confirmed with the Timpson Police Department, there have been four crashes at this intersection this year including one fatality. According to TxDOT, 2013 and 2014 each had four crashes as well. Often times, out of town drivers traveling into Timpson on U.S. Highway 84 are confused by the intersection as they are presented with two stop signs when they approach U.S. Highway 59.