Shelby County Today

March 1, 2023 – The Deep East Texas Council of Governments has filed the required evidence with the Texas Broadband Development Office to challenge the accuracy of the new State Broadband Map. The challenge asserts that 46 census blocks in the 11-county DETCOG Region have significantly slower internet speeds than reported on the initial Texas Broadband Development Map. The state map will be used in determining how state and federal Broadband Internet Funds will be distributed around the state.

The challenge process did not allow for individual challenges, but provided that governmental entities and internet providers could provide evidence to contest the map. DETCOG’s challenge is based on evidence gathered from over 3,000 households and businesses in Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler Counties. These households and businesses responded to DETCOG’s requests to complete an online broadband survey and speed test.

DETCOG staff and contractors analyzed the surveys, grouping them by census blocks and identifying the ones where a minimum of 20 percent of the households in a census block were inaccurately represented on the state map. That analysis found 46 reportable census blocks where the data significantly differed from the state’s map.

“We had just gone through a similar process to challenge parts of the new Federal Communications Commission National Broadband Map, said DETCOG Executive Director Lonnie Hunt. “So, when the new Texas Broadband Map was released, we immediately recognized it over-represented the availability and speeds of internet service in our region. Left unchallenged, the use of both maps looked like our region would be short-changed when state and federal funds are distributed.”

DETCOG continues to leave up the challenge survey webpage where residents can submit their home information. It may be needed if further map changes are considered and to collect data for future grant applications. The survey and speed test may be completed at:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7218052/Deep-East-Texas-Internet-Speed-Test

The Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District is a voluntary association of local governments encompassing all of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler Counties as well as the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. DETCOG is both a Regional Planning Commission of the State of Texas and a Federally chartered Economic Development District.

February 28, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved the purchase of a Tahoe for the Constable Precinct 5 office using City of Timpson funds during their meeting held Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, addressed the commissioners about a “donation” from DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jason Richards by way of a Tahoe for the price of $2,000.

Tipton explained the vehicle is a 2013-2014 Tahoe which would only need a radio installed for the use of his reserve officer. Constable Tipton explained the City of Timpson is donating the funds for the purchase of the Tahoe.

The vehicle has 165,000 miles on it, comes with lights and the option of a cage, as well as a large equipment box in the back.

Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, commented that DeSoto Parish has been a very good neighbor to Shelby County and Constable Tipton agreed Sheriff Richards has been very good to the county.

A motion carried to approve the donation of funds from Timpson, which was followed by another motion to purchase the Tahoe.

Commissioner Tom Bellmyer described how well used the AgriLife building is by groups in the community and the need to expand the building, and a desire to put together a plan to extend the building toward the sidewalk on Nacogdoches Street and have the addition of bathrooms and additional doorway to the main room there.

A motion carried to add the AgriLife building expansion program to the list of projects on the ARPA projects.

Judge Harbison gave an update on ARPA projects and she stated there are $1.4 million in equipment purchases, election equipment is in place and the last payment has been issued by the county treasurer.

“We are working on the Precinct 3 barn, working on getting some quotes, it’s a turnkey project so we are working on that,” said Judge Harbison.

Judge Harbison stated a representative of A-lert was recently at the jail and did a final walkthrough as the project gets closer to starting. She said there was some discussion about covering the recreation yard at the back of the facility, and the county has spoken with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) and whatever issue there may have been has been rectified. Instead of covering the whole area and installing sky lights, only half of the recreation yard will be covered and TCJS has given the go ahead to move forward.

Land is still needing to be purchased for the Huber Water Supply project, according to Judge Harbison, and the county is still waiting on Paxton Water Supply to return a signed contract. Judge Harbison indicated other projects not on their list, which have previously been discussed are on hold.

Agenda items approved during the meeting include:
1. Pay weekly expenses. 
2. Current Payroll.
3. Put gravel down for a school bus turnaround on CR 3169.
4. Donation of $2,000 to Precinct 5 Constable Josh Tipton from the City of Timpson. Motion to accept that donation.
5. Purchase of a 2013 Tahoe from the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department for the benefit of the Precinct 5 Constable.
6. Add the AgriLife building expansion program to the list of projects on the ARPA projects. 
7. Adjourn 

February 27, 2023 - The week of February 19th through 25th yielded 5 calls for the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.

First, on Tuesday at 5:31pm a page came in requesting JVFD to do a welfare check at a residence on County Road 3590 after a family member of the elderly resident got no response from them earlier in the evening. Members of the department arrived at the location and found the resident asleep in their living room, but otherwise in fine condition. Allegiance EMS on scene did an examination of the patient to ensure vitals were within optimal range.

Wednesday had 2 calls at the same address on Carroll Street, both for lift assists. The first came through at 10:30am when the JVFD responded to help Allegiance with getting the patient to the ambulance, and the second was at 9:39pm to help a Balentine ambulance crew get the patient back into their home.

Thursday at 2:19pm the JVFD was called to set up a landing zone at the baseball field for a Life Air Rescue helicopter after Allegiance EMS picked up a patient in critical condition. The helicopter touched down first, with the ambulance arriving shortly after, and the patient was eventually loaded into the helicopter and transported to a nearby emergency room.

Lastly, on Saturday at 10:58pm a call was received for a potential seizure patient at a residence on Childress Street. Upon arriving on scene the JVFD found that an ambulance crew was already there and was working on the patient. The scene was cleared once the ambulance got the patient stabilized and began transporting them to the emergency room.

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.

February 26, 2023 - Center Police Department officers responded to a crash located on Tenaha Street at the entrance to Taco Bell near the Hurst Street intersection on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

When officers arrived at the location, the vehicles involved remained in the middle of the roadway. Once it was determined the occupants of the vehicles were uninjured, both of the automobiles were able to be removed from the roadway so the flow of traffic could safely continue.

According to Center Police Officer Jerry Payne, at around 12-noon a black 2014 Buick Encore driven by Peaches Conway, 85, of Center was attempting to re-enter traffic on U.S. Highway 96 (Tenaha Street) to turn to the north. At that time a grey 2017 Toyota Tundra driven by James Williams, 57, of Center which was traveling north at that time and was unable to avoid colliding with the Buick.

The collision caused damage to the right front quarter panel of the Toyota and damage to the driver’s side of the Buick.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash incident and no citations were issued.

The Buick was towed from the scene.

Submitted photo