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March 8, 2023 - Commissioner Pct. 3 Stevie Smith has closed County Road 3286 for two weeks to build head walls.
March 8, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners allowed during their February 22, 2023 meeting, for the Shelby County Jail to accept certain food donations.
Don Moore, Shelby County Jail Administrator, spoke with the Shelby County Commissioners about receiving food donations for the jail to help reduce costs. He reminded the commissioners he spoke with the in November 2022 about the rising cost of food and that he would be seeking ways to lower the expense.
“Food’s going up, prices are going up, eggs were over $80 a week on eggs and the number of inmates that we’re housing none of that’s going away,” said Moore.
Moore named an egg farm (MPS) that is donating 30 dozen eggs a week, which is slated to make an $80 a week impact. He also has spoken to local farmers about donating beef and Moore stated Panola Packing could handle the slaughter. Tyson has also donated chicken.
A motion carried to approve accepting donated food products that are USDA approved.
Larry Joe Eaves addressed the court about his concerns the local County Government Offices should patronize local businesses instead of giving preferential treatment to businesses based outside of Shelby County and who pay little to no taxes in the county.
The commissioners listened to his concerns and received a policy from another county Eaves offered for review.
The meeting went into an executive session at 10:06am and returned to open session at 10:51am.
With no action to be taken following executive session the meeting adjourned at 10:52am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Shelby County Jail to accept donated food products that are USDA approved. 3. Adjourn.
March 7, 2023 - U.S. Highway 96 North was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Thursday, March 2, 2023.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies responded to aid those involved in the incident. When they arrived, one vehicle was upside down in the southbound traffic lanes and another vehicle was a little further north with apparent rear end damage.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Tim Grace, at around 6pm a silver Cadillac SUV driven by Karen Owens, 73, was attempting to turn onto Cedar Creek Road when a 2024 Ford SUV driven by Connie Smith, 66, failed to control speed and collided with the rear of the Cadillac.
A pickup truck was traveling in the southbound traffic lane and the Cadillac was then unable to turn without the possibility of being struck by the truck. The driver of the truck became a witness to the incident.
Both drivers were transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Smith will be cited for failure to control speed, and no seatbelt.
Assisting DPS Troopers at the scene were the Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
March 7, 2023 - Greg Grant will be conducting controlled burns on three different pine plantings in Arcadia this week. Winds will be out of the south during the burns. In addition to creating scenic, open, park-like pine forests and promoting native grasses and wildflowers, regular prescribed fire reduces fuel loads, decreasing the chance of catastrophic wildfires during the summer; controls underbrush, diseases, and insects; and promotes wildlife habitat for deer, turkey, quail, pollinators, and declining pine savanna and grassland songbirds. For more information on prescribed fire, visit the websites for the Texas A&M Forest Service and The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
March 6, 2023 - The month of February 2023 had 11 days of rain for a total rain fall of 3.52 inches and had 4 days of freezing temperatures.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 26.2 on February 18
Hottest temperature - 88.3 on February 21
Number of days with rain - 11 days
Total rain fall for the month - 3.52 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 9.84 inches
Freezing temperatures - 4 days
02/01/2023 - Low of 34.2, High of 36.7, Rain 1.11
02/02/2023 - Low of 34.9, High of 39.6, Rain 1.51
02/03/2023 - Low of 33.3, High of 55.8, Rain 0.01
02/04/2023 - Low of 28.4, High of 61.2
02/05/2023 - Low of 37.8, High of 71.6
02/06/2023 - Low of 47.8, High of 72.5
02/07/2023 - Low of 51.1, High of 72.9
02/08/2023 - Low of 41.9, High of 78.4, Rain 0.08
02/09/2023 - Low of 37.0, High of 70.3
02/10/2023 - Low of 39.6, High of 58.3, Rain 0.02
02/11/2023 - Low of 37.0, High of 48.7, Rain 0.06
02/12/2023 - Low of 31.5, High of 66.6
02/13/2023 - Low of 37.2, High of 72.0
02/14/2023 - Low of 56.3, High of 73.8, Rain 0.34
02/15/2023 - Low of 54.7, High of 76.6, Rain 0.01
02/16/2023 - Low of 40.1, High of 71.6, Rain 0.15
02/17/2023 - Low of 30.2, High of 50.9
02/18/2023 - Low of 26.2, High of 55.8
02/19/2023 - Low of 43.3, High of 70.3
02/20/2023 - Low of 59.7, High of 81.9
02/21/2023 - Low of 66.0, High of 88.3
02/22/2023 - Low of 67.8, High of 77.7, Rain 0.22
02/23/2023 - Low of 66.6, High of 83.8
02/24/2023 - Low of 55.8, High of 71.1
02/25/2023 - Low of 53.6, High of 66.6
02/26/2023 - Low of 56.8, High of 82.0
02/27/2023 - Low of 49.5, High of 81.3, Rain 0.01
02/28/2023 - Low of 43.5, High of 84.6
March 6, 2023 - The week of February 26th through March 4th added 5 more medical calls to the record for Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Tuesday at 7:35pm a call was received for a female having trouble breathing on County Road 3598. The JVFD EMR team responded to provide oxygen with an assist from DeSoto Fire District 1. The patient was later transported by Allegiance EMS to an emergency room.
Around an hour later at 8:24pm another call came in for an elderly Covid-positive patient having trouble breathing at a residence on Highway 7 East. The EMR team donned proper protective equipment and provided medical assistance to the patient until Allegiance EMS could arrive for transport.
Wednesday morning the JVFD would be called to a DOA at a residence on County Road 3199. Members of the Department assisted funeral home personnel remove the deceased person from the home with help from Precinct 3 Constable Roy Cheatwood.
Later in the day at 3:51pm a call would come in for a lift assist at a home on County Road 3590. Members of the Department helped the elderly patient off of the floor and back to their chair.
The final call for the week came in on Thursday at 8:33am for another fall patient on County Road 3818. The patient was also reported to be “mentally not himself” so he was checked out by Allegiance EMS once he was off the floor.
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.
March 3, 2023 - On February 28, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 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.
The public water system 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 March 3, 2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 28, 2023 - Due to a loss of pressure from a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water February 28, 2023 on 96 from XTO North and from 417 to FM 2140 (anyone without water) to boil their water, prior to consumption (e.g., 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 this 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 Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
March 3, 2023 - Following the storm which entered Shelby County March 2, 2023, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging those who may have damage to utilize the TDEM Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to submit damages incurred by your Residence or Business property.
The following link and QR code will take you to a page with instructional video on what procedures to follow in reporting: Individual State of Texas Assesment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Surveys Page
These links are also featured on the page in English and Spanish and link directly to the iSTAT reporting page for the March 2 event: English/Español
Last Map Update: Thu, Mar. 2, 2023 at 11:10:28 pm CST
March 2, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for at 11:10pm CST, Thursday, March 2, 2023 for Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas... Northern Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas... and Northwestern Shelby County in eastern Texas... until 11:45pm CST.
At 11:09 PM CST, a confirmed tornado was located over Garrison, or 16 miles northeast of Nacogdoches, moving east at 55 mph.
The public confirmed tornado. Hazardous weather includes damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
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.
The tornado will be near Timpson around 11:15pm CST.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Appleby, Lilbert, Lawsonville, Arcadia, Looneyville and Stockman.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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.
Radar indicated a hail threat, 0.75 inch; Wind threat of wind gusts of 60mph
March 2, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 10:52pm for Northwestern Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana... Southern Panola County in northeastern Texas... Southeastern Rusk County in northeastern Texas... Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas... Shelby County in eastern Texas... Angelina County in eastern Texas... San Augustine County in eastern Texas... and Southeastern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas... until 11:45 PM CST.
At 10:51pm CST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles south of Minden to 6 miles southwest of Apple Springs, moving east at 45 mph.
Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail and expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Center, Diboll, Hudson, Huntington, San Augustine, Tenaha, Timpson, Garrison, Joaquin, Wells, Martinsville, Trawick, Pollok, Macune, Shelbyville, Douglass, Melrose and Patroon.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions: A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CST for eastern and northeastern Texas. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until midnight CST for northwestern Louisiana.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
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