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April 22, 2024 - On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, construction crews will close NW Loop 224 at the BU 59 overpass. All northwest bound traffic must travel through the signal and take alternate routes.
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, there will be a southbound lane closure in place on SL 224 near US 59.
These closures are necessary in order to place barriers for the next phase of the construction project. Message boards are in place to alert motorists. Contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov with any further questions.
April 20, 2024 - U.S. Highway 59 in Tenaha was the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving an SUV and a mini bike on Friday, April 20, 2024.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was first notified of the incident and additional emergency personnel were requested.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, at 6:20pm white 2022 GMC Yukon Denali driven by a female driver of Mabank, was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 in Tenaha. At that time a brand new red Coleman Powersports 105cc B100 driven by a minor 13-year-old male child with a minor 8-year-old male child from Tenaha was attempting to cross U.S. Highway 59 and collided with the Denali.
The driver of the Denali was not reported to have been injured.
Both children involved were transported by ambulance to a Carthage hospital for what appeared to be minor non-life-threatening injuries.
The mother of the driver of the Coleman received a citation for allowing minors to operate a motor vehicle on public roadway.
Trooper Jones was assisted at the scene by DPS Trooper Josh Gradberg.
April 19, 2024 - The Center Police Department confirms, Hometown Tackle and Marine was the victim of a burglary that is believed to have taken place during the night of April 9, 2024, and the early morning hours of April 10, 2024.
Items taken include fish finders, depth finders, trolling motors, power poles, and items of that nature from the boats of customers that were being repaired.
There was no evidence recovered that anyone gained entrance to the building during the theft.
It was later learned a similar business in the Hemphill area was broken into just after Hometown Tackle and Marine, and the same sort of equipment was stolen, as well as the same manner of break-in.
According to a social media post by Phillip Crelia, whose family owns the business, “our fence was cut and we had graphs and trolling motors stolen off of our customers’ boats. Not only are we furious that this has happened, we are devastated to have let our customers down. We take great pride in the trust that they have with us. I want to say, from the very bottom of our hearts, how sorry we are.”
Anyone with information about this theft is asked to contact the Center Police Department at 936-598-2788
April 18, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were presented with a request during their April 10, 2024 meeting for an increase to Shelby County’s yearly contribution to the Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District (SSWCD) #449 from $7,000 to $9,000 or $10,000.
Terry Allen, Vice-Chairman of the SSWCD board, submitted a request by letter and Judge Harbison offered the court the opportunity to hear directly from the SSWCD at a future meeting. Commissioner Bellmyer said he would like SSWCD to attend court to provide a presentation on the duties they perform.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to table the item until a presentation can be made and the commissioners can provide a more educated decision. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McSwain and the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed a purchase Contract between Shelby County and Darin Borders for pugmill sand.
Judge Harbison stated Commissioner McSwain and John Price, County Attorney, worked on preparing a contract for the arrangement.
“I have drafted the contract as a one-year contract,” said Price. “My understanding is that the amount of sand that would be purchased would be well below $50,000 in that year period of time. There would be no way that much would be used, and I think the contract meets the requirements for the county, as well as it's good contract to propose to Mr. Borders.”
Commissioner McSwain made a motion to move forward with the contract, and Commissioner Lout gave a second to the motion, and it carried.
The commissioners considered the weekly expenses presented to them for consideration and Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, highlighted some of those expenses.
The court was extremely vague on one particular bill for the Sheriff’s Department, and Blackwell said she had to look it up to find out that it was a monitoring program utilized by the Sheriff’s Department.
The bill was for an annual payment of $2,089 to Law Enforcement Technologies Corporation.
Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, asked about two other bills, which Blackwell explained were for tuition for Kilgore College to train jailers. She said it was for two jailers.
The cost for jailer tuition was $300 each.
Judge Allison Harbison stated for the court, the jail had recently “lost” two jailers.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, stated it would be nice to have representation from the Sheriff’s Department at court to explain what the training achieved for the jailers and if it was to get them certified.
Blackwell estimated the time indicated on the bills was for three weeks and Commissioner McSwain said that was how long [former Chief Deputy Ruth Gonzales] said it would take for someone to become certified. He also said that until someone achieved certification, they would always need a certified jailer supervising them.
Judge Harbison asked if the county has always paid for jailer certifications and Blackwell responded the county has paid for a lot of them.
Treasurer Blackwell referenced a bill in the amount of $13,500 to HRTC Services toward the Master Plan, bringing the total payments to 90% for the project.
“We got at 90% on the master plan for the historic courthouse, so that’s where we are,” said Blackwell.
She expected the final $9,000 payment would be upon receipt of the plan.
Judge Harbison said she has the plan, and it’s around 300 pages long and HRTC Services would be going over the plan with the commissioners at the next meeting.
A motion by Tom Bellmyer, Commissioner Precinct 4, to pay the weekly expenses as presented was seconded by Jimmy Lout, Commissioner Precinct 2, and the motion carried.
One bid for janitorial services was received and opened; however, there was not an actual bid amount included. The janitorial services issue was tabled.
With Commissioner Bellmyer moving to table, and a second on the motion offered by Commissioner Smith. The motion carried.
A motion carried by the commissioners to rescind the action taken in Commissioners Court on March 27, 2024, to go out for bids to replace the roof and gutters on the Courthouse Annex. Judge Harbison said Blackwell had reminded her of the process the county followed to get a roof for the Shelby County Jail through the TIPS-USA Purchasing System.
A motion was made by Commissioner McSwain to rescind the action to go out for bids, and it was seconded by Commissioner Lout. The motion carried.
Commissioner McSwain then moved to utilize the TIPS-USA Purchasing System to receive bids for the replacement of the roof and gutters on the Courthouse Annex. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer and the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of March 6, 2024 Special meeting, March 13, 2024 Regular meeting, March 13, 2024 Special meeting, March 20, 2024 Special meeting, March 27, 2024 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Pay current Payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Rescind the action taken in Commissioners Court on March 27, 2024, to go out for bids to replace the roof and gutters on the Courthouse Annex. 6. Utilize the TIPS-USA Purchasing System to receive bids for the replacement of the roof and gutters on the Courthouse Annex. 7. Purchase Contract between Shelby County and Darin Borders for pugmill sand. 8. Adjourn. Agenda items tabled during the meeting include: 1. Open quotes for Janitorial Services. 2. Discuss and possibly approve an increase in the County’s yearly contribution of $7,000.00 to the Shelby County Soil and Conservation District #449.
Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the ArkLaTex this afternoon through this evening.
April 18, 2024 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 5:03am Thursday, April 18, 2024. This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.
Today and tonight - A round of thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening across northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma, and southwest Arkansas ahead of a cold front. Some storms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail being the main threats.
Friday through Wednesday - Periods of locally heavy rainfall may be possible this weekend from Friday evening through Sunday.
Spotter activation may be needed for this afternoon and this evening.
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the following areas in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas: Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, McCurtain, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, and San Augustine.
April 18, 2024 - (Update): 10:23am - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has stated Jordan Dicks was located and is safe.
April 17, 2024 - (Update): 11:35pm - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department states they have followed every lead, and have not located Jordan Dicks as of 10:40pm.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is seeking the whereabouts of Jordan Dicks, 16, of Joaquin. Jordan was last seen walking away from Joaquin High School when school dismissed on April 17.
If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, contact Chief Deputy Chad Hooper at 936-572-5045.
April 17, 2024 - State Highway 7 West was the scene of a single-vehicle crash where the vehicle involved traveled down an embankment Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
Emergency personnel from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department all responded to assist those involved.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, a 4-door 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Anthony Ausbie, 23, of Nacogdoches was eastbound at an unsafe speed for road conditions when the vehicle hydroplaned. The Taurus crossed both westbound lanes before striking a guardrail and coming to rest at the bottom of a steep embankment.
Ausbie was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injury.
Ausbie was issued citations for unsafe speed and no driver’s license.
April 16, 2024 - Notice: Timpson Street is partially closed for emergency sewer line repairs under the roadway between Park Hill Lane and Margo St. This section of Timpson St. will be closed for at least the remainder of Tuesday, April 16.
Eastbound traffic is being detoured onto Margo St toward Tenaha and westbound traffic is being detoured down Nicholson toward Nacogdoches St. to proceed to Wheeler/Hurst St.
Damages could require more substantial work and this temporary closure lasting through Wednesday, April 17.
April 15, 2024 - Flooding in the Joaquin area continues to be a struggle for residents and emergency personnel with areas like Sand Isle being under water Monday, April 15, 2024.
The flooding was projected to crest Monday and has been receding, reaching 32.1 feet by 1:45am Monday according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency personnel have been out helping those in need since Judge Allison Harbison issued a disaster declaration on Wednesday, April 10.
Emergency management personnel have been working with local agencies as well as outside agencies that have come to the area to assist. Sand isle is one, but not the only community impacted with flooding as it was in 2016.
Fire departments, and law enforcement, especially game wardens have been a constant presence throughout the flooding. National guard has also been present.
Many residents were out on Sunday taking advantage of the altered waterway to catch up on fishing.
Although water levels are decreasing, many roadways remain flooded, impassable and dangerous to travelers.
Related articles:
- County Judge Issues Disaster Declaration, Urges Resident Safety
- Heavy Flooding Projected for Joaquin Area; Emergency, Local Officials Prepare
- Commissioners Work Crews Preparing for Weather Impact
- Report Flood Damage Using iSTAT Through TDEM
Swede Johnson Boat Ramp at Lovick's Landing.
Texas Game Warden Sam Anderson is seen patroling the Sabine River near the Logansport Bridge.
FM 2572, which is the road to Swede Johnson Boat ramp, was underwater and some drivers were able to make their way through the water.
County Road 3620, as many other roads near the Sabine River, was submerged as a result of the flooding.
The high water made for very low clearance at the Logansport Bridge.
April 15, 2024 - Notice is hereby given that the automatic tabulating equipment that will be used in the May 2024 Cities and Schools Elections, held on May 4, 2024, will be tested on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 9am, in the Shelby County Clerk's office in Center, to ascertain that it will accurately count the votes cast for all offices and on all measures.
Aviso Público de Prueba de Equipos de Tabulación
Por la presente se notifica que el equipo de tabulación automática que se utilizará en las Elecciones de Ciudades y Escuelas de mayo de 2024, que se llevarán a cabo el 4 de mayo de 2024, se probará el jueves 18 de abril de 2024, a las 9am, en la oficina del Secretario del Condado de Shelby en Center, para determinar que contará con precisión los votos emitidos para todos los cargos y en todas las medidas.
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