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May 9, 2023 - A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern De Soto, southeastern Red River, western Natchitoches and Sabine Parishes, Nacogdoches, Shelby, central Angelina, San Augustine and northern Sabine Counties through 4:30pm CDT.
At 3:33pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Zwolle, or 28 miles north of Toledo Bend Dam, moving north at 25 mph.
Hazard: Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, Center, Milam, Many, Huntington, San Augustine, Coushatta, Zwolle, Timpson, Campti, Garrison, Converse, Martinsville, Macune, Shelbyville, Melrose, Patroon and Bland Lake.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
May 9, 2023 - Emergency responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on FM 417 just east of Shelbyville on May 8, 2023, where a pickup truck had collided with a tree.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department was on scene to assist as well as Shelbyville ISD Police Chief Jud Matthews.
Just after the crash occurred, two individuals pulled the driver from the vehicle which was beginning to catch on fire.
According to information from Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 4:30pm, a grey 2004 Ford F-150 truck pickup was traveling east. It is reported that the driver was traveling at a speed which was unsafe and lost control when it traveled off the road to the left and struck a tree, at which point it caught fire.
The driver, identified as a 16-year-old male, was transported to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available at this time.
DPS Trooper Chris Cain investigated the crash at the scene.
AS the scene was being investigated, a second crash was reported on U.S. Highway 96 South, and both DPS units and Shelbyville Fire Department units left the first scene to assist on U.S. 96.
May 9, 2023 - Notices of Appraised Value are soon to be sent out. The Appraisal District would like to reach out and inform the public of our activities. In late January we learned that we had once again failed the State Property Value Study in four school districts. Due to this, we once again must raise property values to comply with state law. We conducted analysis of each school district and each type of property to determine where we did not meet the state requirements. For this reason, some types of homes will show a substantial increase in value. This does not mean that any single home has increased in value that much in one single year, simply put, it means that home has been undervalued in previous years. It also does not mean that you have made any “improvements,” just that your house could sell for more dollars. Improvements, as listed on your appraisal notice means, “a building, structure, fixture, or fence erected on or affixed to land.”
State law requires appraisal districts to value property at market value (Texas Property Tax Code Sec. 23.01(a)). “Market Value” according to Texas Property Tax Code Sec. 1.04(7) means “the price at which a property would transfer for cash or its equivalent under prevailing market conditions if:
A. exposed for sale in the open market with a reasonable time for the seller to find a purchaser;
B. both the seller and the purchaser know of all the uses and purposes to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used and of the enforceable restrictions on its use; and
C. both the seller and purchaser seek to maximize their gains and neither is in a position to take advantage of the exigencies of the other.”
The State Legislature of Texas requires appraisal districts to value property at the price it would sell for, regardless of any intent to sell it. The housing market continues to increase in value, the Case-Shiller US National Home Price Index indicates a 4.5% average increase in home values from January 2022 to December 2022.
The Appraisal District uses mass appraisal to value the properties in our county. For this reason, some properties will be valued too high, and some properties will be valued too low. The Appraisal district uses all available sales and State PVS data in order to set values. If you have property specific data that you believe we don’t know about, we are more than happy to evaluate that data in our valuing of your specific property.
In conclusion, the Appraisal District is tasked with the appraisal of all properties in our county at 100% of market value. We do not set tax rates, nor do we collect taxes. The State Legislature created appraisal districts as a separate political entity, apart from the taxing authorities, to provide transparent appraisal of property. We do not increase property values on a whim, we use all available data and through statistical analysis arrive at a value. Please reach out to us at 936-598-6171 if you have any questions about your appraisal notice. Thank you.
May 6, 2023 - The May 6 unofficial election results for the cities and schools across the county are listed below.
City of Timpson and Timpson ISD General Election May 6, 2023 results.
The City of Timpson election results are in and three positions were up for election, plus a position to fill an unexpired term. The top three candidates receiving votes for the three positions were Charleston Johnson - incumbent; Ryan McDonald; and Judd “Tuffy” Green. The unexpired term position had only one candidate, and that was Penny Ramsey, who has now been elected to that position.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
- Bo Alpha - Early Voting: 12; Election Day: 18; Total 30
- Judd “Tuffy” Green - Early Voting: 13; Election Day: 34; Total 47
- Kimberly Todd - Early Voting: 9; Election Day: 23; Total 32
- Sandra Lee Clark - Early Voting: 2; Election Day: 2; Total 4
- Ryan McDonald - Early Voting: 18; Election Day: 41; Total 59
- Charleston Johnson - Early Voting: 19; Election Day: 46; Total 65
In the school board race, there were two positions to be filled. The top two candidates receiving votes for the two positions were Joyce Wolfe and Tammy Trala Sparks.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
- Joyce Wolfe - Early Voting: 31; Election Day: 110; Total 141
- Tammy Trala Sparks - Early Voting: 28; Election Day: 101; Total 129
- Leisa Lovelady Chadwick - Early Voting: 16; Election Day: 50; Total 66
- Billy "Bubba" Carrington - Early Voting: 24; Election Day: 75; Total 99
City of Joaquin and Joaquin ISD
The City of Joaquin has elected a new mayor and running unopposed for that position was Jessie Griffith. There were two council positions up for election and those were won by Cathy Atkison and Quinton Sam Watts.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
City of Joaquin (Mayor Position) Total votes cast - 108
- Jessie Griffith - Early Voting: 31; Election Day: 40; Total 71
City of Joaquin (2 at-large Council Positions) Total votes cast - 108
- Cathy Atkinson - Early Voting: 31; Election Day: 43; Total 74
- Quinton Sam Watts - Early Voting: 27; Election Day: 28; Total 55
- Mike Cummings, Jr. - Early Voting: 24; Election Day: 25; Total 49
Three positions on the Joaquin ISD School Board were up for election and the three candidates with the highest vote counts included Brandon Neal, Jacob Kay and Krystal Sandifer Raybon. Titus Chambliss won the special election as an unopposed candidate.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
- Mick Doggett - Early Voting: 9; Election Day Joaquin: 5; Election Day Huxley: 0; Total 14
- Brandon Neal - Early Voting: 171; Election Day Joaquin: 143; Election Day Huxley: 21; Total 335
- Rick Kirby - Early Voting: 99; Election Day Joaquin: 72; Election Day Huxley: 4; Total 175
- David R. Bonner - Early Voting: 107; Election Day Joaquin: 95; Election Day Huxley: 12; Total 214
- Jacob Kay - Early Voting: 123; Election Day Joaquin: 95; Election Day Huxley: 16; Total 234
- Kelly D. Brooks - Early Voting: 56; Election Day Joaquin: 24; Election Day Huxley: 3; Total 83
- Krystal Sandifer Raybon - Early Voting: 104; Election Day Joaquin: 119; Election Day Huxley: 8; Total 231
- Chrisco Bragg - Early Voting: 74; Election Day Joaquin: 72; Election Day Huxley: 8; Total 154
Updated 3:47pm 5/8/2023: A special election for an unexpired term only had one candidate. Titus Chambliss won unopposed.
Shelbyville ISD
The Shelbyville ISD Board of Trustees had two positions up for election. The candidates with the highest vote count included Mark Bohannon and Tim Bradshaw.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
Shelbyville ISD (2 trustee positions) *Update: 2 positions not 3
- Mark Bohannon - Early Voting: 123; Election Day: 90; Total 213
- Tim Bradshaw - Early Voting: 61; Election Day: 61; Total 122
- Bryan Swindle - Early Voting: 17; Election Day: 95; Total 112
- Greg McDonald - Early Voting: 23; Election Day: 11; Total 34
City of Tenaha and Tenaha ISD
The City of Tenaha had three positions to elect on their council in Place 1 Janice Barton - incumbent retains her position; Place 4 was unopposed and David Thomas was elected to that position; Place 5 was won by Florence Adams - incumbent.
The following information includes the unofficial voting results:
Place 1
- Cliff Lloyd - Early Voting: 9; Election Day: 17; Total 26
- Janice Barton - Early Voting: 15; Election Day: 41; Total 56
Place 4
- David Thomas - Early Voting: 16; Election Day: 33; Total 49
Place 5
- Lee Gibbs - Early Voting: 7; Election Day: 32; Total 39
- Florance Adams - Early Voting: 16; Election Day: 28; Total 44
Tenaha ISD didn't have an election and therefore results will not be added to this report.
May 8, 2023 - The week of April 30th through May 6th yielded 3 calls for the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
On Sunday afternoon at 2:39pm a page was received in regards to an accident in from of Dollar General on the Haslam Strip. The driver of a white Toyota sedan t-boned the driver of a silver Dodge sedan, bending in the driver door of the Dodge. The driver of the Dodge was able to drive into the Dollar General parking lot and exit the vehicle through the passenger side. Both drivers were checked out by the JVFD medical team and Allegiance EMS, with the driver of the Dodge later being transported to an emergency room.
Thursday at 1:44pm a call came in for a track-hoe on fire on County Road 3001. The JVFD responded to fight the blaze and was able to extinguish it, but the track-hoe would be a complete loss.
Friday afternoon at 2:52pm a call was received for a possible intoxicated person at the Quick Stop on the Haslam Strip. The JVFD medical team assisted Allegiance EMS with getting the patient into the ambulance where they could be transported to a nearby emergency room.
In other news, it is time again to kick-off the JVFD Muti-item Raffle Fundraiser. Raffle tickets are 20$ each or 100$ for 6. The prizes this year are as follows:
May 6, 2023 - The month of April 2023 had 11 days of rain for a total rain fall of 11.80 inches.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the past month is as follows:
Lowest temperature - 42.3 on April 17
Hottest temperature - 92.3 on April 15
Number of days with rain - 11 days
Total rain fall for the month - 11.80 inches
Total rain fall YTD for 2023 - 27.77 inches
04/01/2023 - Low of 54.3, High of 81.1
04/02/2023 - Low of 53.4, High of 82.2
04/03/2023 - Low of 69.8, High of 87.4
04/04/2023 - Low of 71.6, High of 82.4
04/05/2023 - Low of 55.6, High of 79.9, Rain 0.44
04/06/2023 - Low of 50.4, High of 56.3, Rain 4.68
04/07/2023 - Low of 49.1, High of 52.5, Rain 0.10
04/08/2023 - Low of 51.6, High of 70.5
04/09/2023 - Low of 54.5, High of 65.5
04/10/2023 - Low of 53.6, High of 70.5
04/11/2023 - Low of 48.6, High of 75.4
04/12/2023 - Low of 51.3, High of 74.8
04/13/2023 - Low of 54.0, High of 72.3
04/14/2023 - Low of 54.0, High of 82.0
04/15/2023 - Low of 65.5, High of 92.3, Rain 0.15
04/16/2023 - Low of 48.6, High of 72.9
04/17/2023 - Low of 42.3, High of 80.1
04/18/2023 - Low of 52.9, High of 76.1
04/19/2023 - Low of 60.3, High of 82.8
04/20/2023 - Low of 65.8, High of 77.4, Rain 0.96
04/21/2023 - Low of 55.2, High of 76.6, Rain 0.70
04/22/2023 - Low of 48.4, High of 78.8
04/23/2023 - Low of 48.0, High of 61.7, Rain 0.04
04/24/2023 - Low of 45.0, High of 69.8
04/25/2023 - Low of 51.1, High of 72.5
04/26/2023 - Low of 52.0, High of 75.7, Rain 2.90
04/27/2023 - Low of 55.4, High of 73.0, Rain 1.65
04/28/2023 - Low of 48.6, High of 80.2, Rain 0.16
04/29/2023 - Low of 51.8, High of 63.7, Rain 0.02
04/30/2023 - Low of 47.3, High of 85.5
May 5, 2023 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 1:30am for Panola County in northeastern Texas, Rusk County in northeastern Texas, Nacogdoches County in eastern Texas, Western Shelby County in eastern Texas, Northwestern Angelina County in eastern Texas, Northwestern San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Southeastern Cherokee County in northeastern Texas
At 12:42am CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Joinerville to Minden to near Trawick to near Forest, moving east at 50 mph.
Hazard: 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include Nacogdoches, Henderson, Carthage, Center, Overton, Alto, Tenaha, Timpson, New London, Garrison, Beckville, Joaquin, Wells, Pinehill, Martinsville, Trawick, Pollok, Sacul, Douglass and Morrill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
May 3, 2023 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Paxton WSC Jackson Plant public water system, #2100031 to issue a Boil Water Notice on May 1, 2023, 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.
Paxton WSC Jackson Plant 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 5/3/2023.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Blake Cranford 903-692-8249.
May 1, 2023 - Due to Line Break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Paxton WSC Jackson Plant # 2100031 public water system to notify all customers 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 Blake Cranford at (936) 590-9177. The public water system customers and the executive director shall be able to reach the public water system at one of the numbers listed in this notice. If a customer, individual, or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512) 239-4691.
The water on East Lamar Water Supply no longer requires boiling.
May 3, 2023 - On April 29, 2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the East Lamar Water Supply, #2100006, 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.
East Lamar Water Supply 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. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of May 3, 2023.
If you have questions, you may contact Rodney Warr, Systems Operator, at 936-591-5338.
Effective April 29, 2023 Until Further Notice
April 29, 2023 - Due to major leak at CR 1001 at CR 2974 outage on CR 1001, CR 1430, CR 1431, and 87 South from CR 1431, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the East Lamar Water Supply Corporation # 2100006 public water system to notify all customers 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 instructions.
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 Rodney Warr at 936-591-5338.
May 3, 2023 - Due to our construction company hitting a water main, we will turn school out around 1:00-1:15. Buses will start at FLM then go to CES, then CHS and lastly CMS and RRA. I'm sorry but we have no water.
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