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June 9, 2023 - Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the recovery of three guns and drugs found during a traffic stop.
On June 7, 2023, deputies and investigators responded to a location on Highway 87 N in Center in regards to a reckless driver. During the course of the traffic stop, three handguns and 3.8 ounces (110 grams) of methamphetamines were recovered.
The sole occupant of the vehicle was arrested and this investigation is ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.
The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.
June 8, 2023 - On June 5, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, 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.
San Augustine Rural Water 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 and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of June 8, 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.
June 5, 2023 - Due to a break in a line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notify ALL customers who were formerly Bland Lake customers on CR 114, FM 1279, FM 3230, Hwy 96 N, FM 711 and Hwy 147 N 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.
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 San Augustine Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
June 7, 2023 - Constable Cheatwood confirms Daniel Eaves, 38, of Center and Luke Odom, 39, of Timpson were two individuals arrested involving the theft of diesel on Thursday, June 1, 2023, and illegal drugs were also located.
Eaves was charged with theft of petroleum product, state jail felony; engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 3; and possession of a controlled substance PG1 >4G <400G, felony 2. Odom was charged with theft of petroleum product, state jail felony; and engaging in organized criminal activity, felony 3.
This incident remains under investigation and additional arrests are likely.
June 2, 2023 - Law enforcement officials investigated a fuel theft Thursday, June 1, 2023, which resulted in the necessity of an environmental cleanup due to a spill.
Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, was initially contacted about the incident on East Saddle Street near a city lift station. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by City of Joaquin officials to also respond to the location.
The area was strong with the odor of diesel fuel and it appeared a large quantity of the fuel had spilled into the stagnant body of water in a nearby creek. A garden hose was visible hanging from a fuel tank located within a fenced area beside the roadway, and large plastic drums were tipped over beside the creek located within the woods.
A trail from the fuel tank led through the woods to a neighboring trailer park where additional drums suspected of containing fuel were located.
Lonestar Hazmat was requested for cleanup of the spill, and officers continued their investigation of the apparent theft of diesel fuel.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, and Austin Cryer, Texas Game Warden, also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
A hazmat crew will be working to clean the area. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has made arrests as a result of their investigation which is still ongoing.
Representatives of the city, including Mayor Jessie Griffith were on scene to assist throughout the day.
June 7, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the declaration of June as Elder Abuse Prevention Month during their Wednesday, May 31, 2023, meeting.
Tracey Belin, Adult Protective Services, spoke with the commissioners about June being Elder Abuse Prevention Month and described some of the things for which her organization is responsible. Belin said she has been with the agency 24 years this summer.
“You guys have been instrumental with making sure that our program runs the way it’s supposed to,” said Belin. “Adult Protective Services, as you know our sister agency is Child Protective Services (CPS).”
Belin pointed out that CPS, since it represents children, is a little more well-known than APS; however, APS in the counties they serve, including Shelby County, is necessary to safeguard and protect the rights of elderly individuals 65 and older and disabled individuals 18 and older. APS works to make certain these individuals know their rights and if they don’t, APS can step in and make sure they make the best decision for those individuals with the information they have.
“Our program investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation in elderly and disabled adults,” said Belin. “We do a lot of different things in that realm of it, we investigate exploitation which is the taking and receiving of somebody else’s money without their consent. We do physical abuse, we do self-neglect which is inappropriate spending of their money, unable to pay their bills with their monthly income.”
Belin stated that their intakes have increased, and there isn’t actually a representative specific to Shelby County, Lakeisha Holden handles San Augustine and Shelby County. Belin explained her job involves community engagement.
“Just want to thank the commissioners and Judge [Allison] Harbison for always making sure our mental health warrants get signed,” said Belin.
Belin also expressed gratitude to law enforcement and their assistance in help APS to get their jobs done.
A motion carried by the commissioners to declare June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Melanie Taylor, Chief Executive Officer for the Burke Center, spoke with the commissioners about services the Burke Center provides to Shelby County.
Taylor addressed a change in the Burke service area that was impacted by redistricting in the state.
“Jasper County ended up with Speaker [Matthew] Phelan is their representative, which also serves the Beaumont region,” said Taylor. “So they ended up moving from the Deep East Texas Council Of Governments to the Southeast Texas Council of Governments.”
The commissioners had on their agenda, for consideration, an interlocal agreement including changes to Burke’s service region to no longer include Jasper County as of September 1, 2023 and allow the County Judge to sign documents to this effect on behalf of Shelby County.
Earlier during Taylor’s presentation, she gave some history on the Burke Center and that it was formed in 1974 by Commissioners’ Courts across the state, and then as a result the state provides funding.
Every three years the Commissioners’ Court selects a representative to be on the Burke Center board, and John Howard is Shelby County’s representation. Taylor said Howard is very active in that position.
“You probably see every year when you do your budget a line item for Burke, and it may be immaterial to your big budget, but what that is about is when you formed us each county agreed to provide match to draw down state dollars,” said Taylor. “So that first $8,000 is the match that you give us to draw down to provide services that we do.”
Taylor said 15 to 16 years ago the counties got together and addressed a crisis situation, which in turn an emergency crisis center was built. The counties agreed to contribute 25% of that cost and Shelby County contributes around $16,000 to that, according to Taylor. She said they are able to draw down 75% state revenue with the funding from the county.
A motion carried by the commissioners to approve the changes to Burke’s service region.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Changes to Burke’s service region to no longer include Jasper County as of September 1, 2023 and allow the County Judge to sign documents to this effect on behalf of Shelby County. 3. Proclamation declaring June as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. 4. Allow the County Clerk to replace the fluorescent light fixtures in her office with LED fixtures. 5. Insurance payment for the Road and Bridge #3 excavator that was destroyed by fire which includes a $1,000.00 deductible to retain the salvage and from this point on to allow the elected official to make the determination to retain salvage or to take insurance payment for salvage. 6. Rescind motion from last week on agenda number 8, Pct. 3 Road and Bridge to seek bids through the BuyBoard for an Excavator. 7. Road and Bridge Pct.#3 to seek bids through the BuyBoard for the following equipment: Excavator equipped with Hydraulic Thumb; Quick connect; 36’ digging bucket; over more than 50 hp; Less than 21,000 pounds operation weight; Outside track width less than 91 inches. 8. Road and Bridge Pct. 3 to sell a Volvo-G930 Maintainer on Purplewave. (VIN VCE0G930T00040069) 9. Adjourn. Agenda items tables during the meeting include: 1. Table until June 14: Sealed bids that were opened on May 24th on a 2012 through 2022 Truck Tractor tandem-axle 400 plus HP in good condition used or new for Commissioner Pct. 3.
June 6, 2023 - The month of May 2023 had 9 days of rain for a total rain fall of 4.61 inches.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 50.0 on May 2
Hottest temperature - 93.4 on May 19
Number of days with rain - 9 days
Total rain fall for the month - 4.61 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 32.38 inches
05/01/2023 - Low of 51.1, High of 81.1
05/02/2023 - Low of 50.0, High of 82.6
05/03/2023 - Low of 55.8, High of 82.8
05/04/2023 - Low of 55.9, High of 86.0
05/05/2023 - Low of 62.8, High of 86.9, Rain 0.60
05/06/2023 - Low of 68.5, High of 87.6
05/07/2023 - Low of 69.3, High of 82.0, Rain 0.22
05/08/2023 - Low of 68.0, High of 84.2
05/09/2023 - Low of 63.1, High of 86.7, Rain 0.02
05/10/2023 - Low of 68.4, High of 75.6, Rain 1.12
05/11/2023 - Low of 68.9, High of 84.7, Rain 0.91
05/12/2023 - Low of 75.2, High of 90.9
05/13/2023 - Low of 70.9, High of 88.7, Rain 0.45
05/14/2023 - Low of 67.5, High of 87.4, Rain 0.63
05/15/2023 - Low of 65.3, High of 89.6
05/16/2023 - Low of 66.0, High of 87.3, Rain 0.59
05/17/2023 - Low of 63.0, High of 81.5
05/18/2023 - Low of 61.7, High of 90.3
05/19/2023 - Low of 66.0, High of 93.4
05/20/2023 - Low of 69.1, High of 78.1
05/21/2023 - Low of 64.8, High of 77.7
05/22/2023 - Low of 62.1, High of 84.9
05/23/2023 - Low of 60.3, High of 83.7
05/24/2023 - Low of 63.1, High of 85.1
05/25/2023 - Low of 62.8, High of 86.4
05/26/2023 - Low of 61.7, High of 87.3
05/27/2023 - Low of 63.0, High of 89.2
05/28/2023 - Low of 61.2, High of 89.1
05/29/2023 - Low of 64.6, High of 89.0, Rain 0.07
05/30/2023 - Low of 65.5, High of 90.4
05/31/2023 - Low of 66.7, High of 90.2
June 5, 2023 - Matlock Street in Center was the scene of a reported shooting incident Friday, June 2, 2023, involving two individuals.
Center Police Department (CPD) officers arrived at the scene and began searching for those involved, while also taking statements from witnesses in the neighborhood.
One individual, Justin Evans, was detained shortly after the officers arrival near a house at the intersection of Matlock and Jennings Streets.
CPD Brian Wright and K-9 Enzo began searching the area for the other individual and the gun involved in the incident.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Dustin Ramos arrived and assisted CPD officers in searching the area.
K-9 Enzo indicated several times detecting a person near the house and a man eventually emerged from nearby brush.
After speaking with that individual, officers then detained him as well.
Officers continued their search for a gun and collected other evidence such as a holster and ammunition.
More details will be added to this report once available.
June 5, 2023 - Over the week of May 28th through June 3rd the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to 4 calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Tuesday afternoon at 3:10pm a call was received for an unresponsive 85 year old patient at a residence on FM 3082. Allegiance EMS was already on scene when the JVFD medical team arrived and the patient had been loaded into the ambulance.
Tuesday night at 11:31pm another call came in, this time for a COPD patient unable to catch their breath at a residence on Jackson Street. The JVFD medical team arrived on scene and collected the patient’s vitals before assisting Allegiance EMS with moving the patient into the ambulance.
Wednesday night at 8:26pm a page was received for a baby that had been knocked unconscious at the Bethlehem Church on Highway 7 East. Once the medical team arrived the young patient was awake and moving, but the mother opted to have him checked out at a hospital to be on the safe side.
Friday morning at 8:49am a call came in for a motor-vehicle accident involving 2 tractor trailers on Highway 84 East. One of the rigs had clipped the other causing a rollover in which the cab of the rolled over rig was detached from the frame. Once on scene, the JVFD went right to work extricating the driver from the detached cab and getting him to the ambulance where he could be transported to a landing zone that had been set up at the baseball field. From there he was taken by helicopter to an emergency room. The driver of the other tractor trailer was unharmed in the accident.
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.
June 5, 2023 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, reports the project on CR 1490 is now complete this morning (June 5, 2023) and the roadway open.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
May 24, 2023 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner for Precinct 1, announces the temporary closure of a portion of CR 1490 for needed repairs.
The closure will start Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8am from CR 1490 at New Hope Church to CR 1450.
Commuters are urged to take this into consideration and choose another route until work has been completed.
This information will be updated once the work is done.
June 3, 2023 - U.S. Highway 84 was the location of a major truck tractor collision Friday, June 2, 2023, just outside of Joaquin in front of Crystal Lake.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene of the incident sometime just before 9am where a tanker truck had rolled over and was up against a tree line on the westbound side of the roadway.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones, a white 2023 Peterbilt truck tractor owned by Tri State and driven by Robert Williams, Jr., 52, of Dallas was eastbound on U.S. Highway 84 when the truck crossed the center stripe.
The Peterbilt struck a 2001 Kenworth truck tractor driven by Daniel Reagan Holbrook, 29, of Carthage in the left rear of the trailer before exiting the roadway and rolling over.
Williams was life flighted by helicopter to LSU for treatment of his injuries.
Holbrook was not reported to have been injured as a result of the incident.
Williams will be issued a citation for wrong side not passing.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene with Williams at the scene and in establishing a landing zone for the life flight helicopter. They provided traffic control until the scene was clear.
Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3; and Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies assisted Trooper Jones.
June 3, 2023 - Commissioner Smith reports the repairs are completed and the roadway is back open.
June 2, 2023 - Shelby County Commissioner Stevie Smith reports a culvert on CR 3267 at the section in the Flat Fork Creek bottom collapsed and is temporarily closed. County road crews will be working to change out the culvert on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
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