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March 27, 2026 - Drivers involved in a two-vehicle crash incident on FM 147 were injured on the morning of Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Emergency responders with the Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene to aid those involved and Assist Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers on FM 147 just near CR 1095 and Little Rascal Creek.
According to details from DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:01am, a grey 2002 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Paul Staib, 53, of Center was traveling north, while a maroon 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Daniel Rash, 36, of Center was traveling south. It is reported that Staib drove on the wrong side of the road, not passing, struck the Ford, and then struck a tree.
Staib and Rash were each transported by EMS to Shelby Emergency Department for assessment of their injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Dustin Ramos. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Hughes Wrecker Service and Hopkins Wrecker Service.
March 27, 2026 - Shelby County is under a burn ban as of March 27, 2026. This order also specifically includes the City of Timpson. The order reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby is under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property resulting from the threat of wildfires due to extremely dry grassland fuel, drought and other weather-related conditions; and
WHEREAS, THE COUNTY JUDGE of Shelby County has determined that to mitigate the hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry conditions, extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE OF Shelby COUNTY:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for Shelby County pursuant to § 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
2. This Declaration of a local state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners Court of Shelby County.
3. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Shelby County and the City of Timpson. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities carried out by Federal Certified Agencies.
4. This Declaration of shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Shelby County.
5. This Declaration of the local state of disaster activates the Shelby County Emergency Management Plan.
This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance; ORDERED THIS 27 DAY OF March, 2026.
March 26, 2026 - During the Shelby County Commissioners' Court meeting held Wednesday, March 25, 2026, County Clerk Jennifer Fountain offered an order for a burn ban from County Judge Allison Harbison that she had previously signed.
After the commissioners spoke during the Commissioners' Court Reports portion of their meeting about conditions in their areas, Commissioner Roscoe McSwain directed that the burn ban be put in place effective first thing Friday morning, March 27, 2026.
March 25, 2026 - U.S. Highway 59 south of Timpson was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Monday, March 23, 2026, that resulted in injury to one person involved and the arrest of the driver.
Emergency personnel with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to the incident location.
According to details from DPS, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 10:01am, a 2007 Saturn SI3 driven by Joanna Tischler, 44, of Henderson was traveling north. It was reported that Tischler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway to the left, and entered the ditch. After entering the ditch, the Saturn flipped onto its side and ejected the passenger.
Tischler was not injured and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor offense, and booked into the Shelby County jail. According to Shelby County Jail booking information, Tischler bonded out on a $2,500 bond on March 24.
Jonathan Daniel, 41, of Lufkin, was the ejected passenger and he was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center, for treatment of possible life-threatening injuries.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
March 23, 2026 - A Joaquin man has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 84 East on Haslam Strip in Joaquin Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Emergency responders with the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the scene at around 7pm, as the roadway was blocked by the pickup truck involved in the incident. The other vehicle involved, a truck tractor, was able to pull off the roadway into a privater driveway.
JVFD personnel established cones around the crash scene and diverted traffic through the middle lane to prevent traffic buildup and another collision from occurring.
According to details from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 7:01pm, a white 2026 Mack truck tractor driven by Brandon Jones, 32, of Mansfield, La. and towing a tanker trailer was traveling west. It is reported that the trailer was struck in the rear by a red 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Brian Oliver, 54, of Joaquin that was also traveling west with a 6-year-old minor passenger.
Jones was not injured.
Oliver was transported to Shelby Emergency Department in Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Oliver was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 15-years-old, a felony offense, and booked into the Shelby County jail.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
The crash investigation was led by Trooper Daniel Dellenger.
March 23, 2026 - County Road 3533 in the Tenaha area was the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from which the driver remains missing as of this report.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies Mandy Fears and Micah Buzbee rushed to the scene, and upon locating the vehicle actively searched for the driver.
According to details from the the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 9:45pm, a 2006 Ford Ranger was traveling east. It is reported that for an unknown reason, the driver of the Ford traveled off the road to the left, and through a barbed-wire fence where it then struck a tree.
All indications to law enforcement officials is that the driver of the Ford left the scene of the crash before they arrived. The driver has not been located or identified at the time of this report.
The crash was investigated by DPS State Trooper Daniel Dellenger.
According to DPS, this remains an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
March 22, 2026 - Hurst Street in Center was the scene of an incident which resulted in a shutdown of the throroughfare on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
When emergency personnel with the Center Police Department (CPD) first discovered the scene at around 9:43am, utility cables were strewn across the roadway as well as two utility poles that were also broken and laying across the street.
Center Fire Department personnel were called to the scene and they assisted with traffic control, diverting vehicles up Express Blvd.
While the roadway remained clearly blocked by the debris, and emergency vehicles, some drivers persisted in driving past those emergency vehicles and into the scene. This required emergency crews to break away from their focus and instead direct those drivers out of the scene.
SWEPCO responded to the scene and were instrumental in getting the utility poles, and utility lines out of the roadway so that the flow of traffic on Hurst Street could commence its normal flow.
According to the CPD, a truck tractor owned by Walsh Trucking and driven by John Davis Jr., 38, of Troup was hauling oilfield equipment and traveling northbound in the outside traffic lane of Hurst Street. In the 800 block of Hurst Street, the truck struck a utility line connecting two utility poles on either side of Hurst Street. As a result of the collision with the line, both poles snapped in half and generated debris in the roadway.
The truck was part of a wide load crew traveling though Center.
No citations were issued.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers Assisted at the scene. Center Police Officers on scene included Sgt. Brian Wright and Officer Luis Acuna.
Several businesses were impacted by the resulting power outage, and SWEPCO crews have been diligently working to address the situation.
March 20, 2026 - Emergency responders were dispatched to State Highway 7 East on Monday, March 9, 2026, for a two-vehicle crash.
Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department personnel began traffic control at the scene and EMS responded for medical support.
One vehicle involved remained on the westbound shoulder with extensive visible damage to the right rear quarter panel, wheel and passenger side mirror. Another vehicle had traveled down an embankment and through a wooded area before coming to rest in a field on the eastbound side of the roadway.
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) commenced with investigating the incident while Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 4:01pm, a white 2022 Ford F-450 driven by Jody Covington, 52, of Joaquin and a white 2016 Ford F-150 driven by Hermilo Luna, 54, of Joaquin were traveling west. DPS reports that Covington failed to control speed and struck the Ford F-150 in the rear.
Covington was transported to Nacogdoches Medical of Center, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Luna was treated on scene and released.
According to DPS, charges are pending further investigation. DPS Trooper Matt Chandler investigated the crash.
This remains an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
March 20, 2026 - Ongoing dry fuels will yield elevated wildfire conditions today across the entire Four State Region. Outdoor burning and activities that involve open sparks or flames are discouraged.
The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana issued at 6:06am, Friday, March 20, 2026 a special weather statement.
Elevated fire weather conditions are expected for the entire four state region which includes extreme southeast Oklahoma, southwest and south-central Arkansas, east Texas, and northern and central Louisiana.
Weather conditions will be favorable for wildfire growth until 7pm Friday evening.
The Texas A&M Forest Service currently reports one active wildfire in the county. The Flat Fork Creek fire in Shelby County is 145 acres and is 95% contained as of this morning. The fire was discovered yesterday, March 19, 2026.
Relative humidity's afternoon minimums will range from 30 to 45 percent.
Wind speeds of 10 to 15 mph sustained with higher gusts possible brings fuels to critically dry.
These conditions will support the spread of wildfires. Outdoor burning and activities that involve open sparks or flames are discouraged. Please report all wildfires to local law enforcement as soon as possible.
March 18, 2026 - The Shelby County Extension Office and the Health and Wellness Committee are pleased to announce that the UT Health Mobile Digital Mammography Unit will return to Center in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The unit will be stationed on the Downtown Square in Center, Texas, on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The UT Health Mobile Digital Mammography Unit offers state-of-the-art digital breast cancer screening, providing women with a convenient, accessible option for prioritizing their health. Breast cancer continues to be a major public health concern, and early detection through regular screening significantly improves outcomes. By bringing advanced screening technology directly to Shelby County, the mobile unit helps remove barriers to care and expand access to lifesaving services.
Appointments may be made by calling the Shelby County Extension Office at 936-598-7744 between March 18 and March 25, 2026. Screenings will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged.
For additional details or help locating mammography services in your area, please contact Feleshia Thompson, Family and Community Health Extension Agent, at 936-598-7744.
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