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July 27, 2024 - Emergency responders were dispatched to a major two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96 North just past SL 500 on July 26, 2024, at around 7am.
Center Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to assist those involved and Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers as they investigated the incident.
According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a red Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Michael Santana, 18, of Tenaha was southbound on U.S. Highway 96 in inclement weather when the truck hit water and hydroplaned into the northbound traffic lanes. At that time a white minivan Watts Transportation driven by Cari Corr, 66, of Garrison was northbound
Santana, Corr and a passenger from the minivan were all transported to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries.
A citation for unsafe speed will be issued to Santana.
The crash was investigated by DPS Trooper Josh Gradberg, assisted by DPS Trooper Keith Jones.
July 26, 2024 - U.S. Highway 96 North just past Loop 500 was the scene of a a major two-vehicle crash and the roadway was blocked on the northbound side from around just after 7am until 7:37am until the scene was cleared.
More information on this incident will be updated as it's available.
July 26, 2024 - Loop 500 at CR 2010 was the scene of a major two-vehicle crash Thursday, July 26, 2024, that resulted in injuries to both drivers involved.
Center Police Department officers were dispatched to the location at 11:43am and they were assisted by emergency personnel with the Center Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety.
When emergency responders arrived, one vehicle involved remained in the middle of the roadway and the other involved had traveled down an embankment where it came to rest.
According to the Center Police Department, Roberta Miller, 72, of Baytown was traveling south on SL 500 in a tan 2014 Nissan when she attempted to swerve around a puddle of water and traveled into the oncoming lane of traffic. At that time a silver 2008 Jeep driven by Polly Craig, 58, of Center was northbound in the opposite lane when the Nissan struck the Jeep rendering it inoperable in the southbound lane. The Nissan continued off the roadway and overturned onto a ditch on the side of the Loop.
Center Fire Department personnel used Jaws-of-Life to gain access to the Nissan and help extricate Miller from the vehicle.
Both drivers were transported by ambulance to Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of their injuries.
No citations were issued at the time of the crash.
The incident was investigated by Center Police Office Bobby Hudnall.
July 26, 2024 —Sabine and Shelby counties received $657,492 for county road improvement projects from timber sale profits on the Sabine National Forest through the Good Neighbor Authority partnership.
The Good Neighbor Authority, a USDA Forest Service program fostering partnerships with state forestry agencies for forest stewardship practices, allowed Texas A&M Forest Service foresters to conduct forest management practices on the Sabine National Forest—ultimately producing this timber sale. This partnership began in 2019.
Jordan Herrin, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Operations Chief, explained that Texas A&M Forest Service foresters utilized selective forest thinning practices on the national forest, which is a recommended method by both forest services compared to other methods like clear-cutting.
“Selective forest thinning is conducted when trees reach a size where they are competing against each other for nutrients, water and sunlight,” said Herrin. “Forest thinning gives way for more nutrients and resources to be directed to the healthiest trees remaining. The thinning improves forest health and lessens the likelihood and impacts of destructive insects across the landscape.”
Funds from the profit of timber sales through this partnership have been directed to Sabine and Shelby counties, due to the national forest’s location in these counties, for approved road improvements.
"The Good Neighbor funds allowed Sabine County to purchase road material for shared Forest Service roads,” said Daryl Melton, Sabine County Judge. “Currently, Sabine County helps maintain over 100 miles of Forest Service roads. These roads are a vital part of our county. We are so thankful for this program.”
Leaders from Sabine and Shelby counties expressed that their relationship was strengthened through this partnership, and it will continue as more timber sales occur.
"Shelby County appreciates the Good Neighbor Authority program for awarding funds to assist in maintaining the Forest Service roads located in the county,” said Allison Harbinson, Shelby County Judge. “We appreciate the partnership between USDA Forest Service and Shelby County and look forward to future projects to benefit the Sabine National Forest and the citizens of Shelby County.”
State and national forests are owned and operated by state and federal forestry agencies respectively, and they are utilized as experimentation and demonstration models for the public and other foresters and researchers.
"The partnership between Sabine County, Shelby County, Texas A&M Forest Service and USDA Forest Service is a great example of government working together for the betterment of the public,” said Kimpton Cooper, USDA Forest Service Forest Supervisor. “The use of Good Neighbor Authority has proven to be a winning situation for our local communities and for maintaining healthy forests and for what those forests provide.”
The forest management practices used in this collaboration effort also emphasize forest sustainability efforts with strategic stand planting, closely monitored forest health, systematic timber harvesting and the utilization of wood and profits after harvesting.
“By using sustainable forest management methods on state and federal forest lands, it is our goal to demonstrate innovative practices to landowners and forest managers across the state and region,” said Herrin. “Improving the forest health on the National Forest has positive impacts on both public and private forestlands across East Texas.”
The funds presented are from the timber harvested from two stands consisting of 500 acres in the Sabine National Forest. Harvesting these 43,625 tons of timber began in October 2019 and was completed Dec. 15, 2023.
Another Good Neighbor Authority timber sale on the Sam Houston National Forest is ongoing. A Good Neighbor Authority timber sale on the Davey Crockett National Forest is being prepared with an anticipated sale in October 2024.
July 26, 2024 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Southwestern Natchitoches Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Sabine Parish in northwestern Louisiana, Northern Sabine County in eastern Texas, Northeastern San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Southeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas until 11:45am CDT.
At 8:42am CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Hazard: Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Natchitoches, Milam, Many, Zwolle, Campti, Converse, Patroon, Allen, Oak Grove, Pleasant Hill, Florien, Provencal, Natchez, Clarence, Huxley, Noble, Fisher, Robeline, Powhatan and Belmont.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
July 26, 2024 - While Shelby County remains under a flood advisory, FM 139 just south of State Highway 7 in the Joaquin area, and U.S. Highway 84 going through town are reported to both be flooded, as of 8am, July 26, 2024.
Travelers are encouraged to use extreme caution, slow down, and choose alternate routes.
July 26, 2024 - Flood Advisory Now In Effect Until 9:15am: Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues.
Where: Portions of northwest Louisiana, including the following parish, southwestern De Soto and northeast Texas, including the following counties, southeastern Panola and central Shelby.
When: Until 9:15am CDT.
Impacts: Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
Additional Details: At 7:13am CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain.
Overflowing poor drainage areas will cause minor flooding in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen.
Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding.
Some locations that will experience flooding include: Center, Mansfield, Logansport, Tenaha, Joaquin, Shelbyville, South Mansfield, Grand Cane, Stanley, James, Paxton, Deadwood, Jericho and Arcadia.
http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
July 25, 2024 - FM 139 near FM 2747 was the scene of a single-vehicle fatality crash July 25, 2024.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the location around 12-noon including law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical services.
When it was discovered the driver had not survived the incident, a Justice of the Peace was requested to the scene.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirms, a black 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Ward [Allen] Sims, Jr., 73, of Shelbyville was traveling southbound when the pickup traveled around a curve and for unknown reasons traveled off the road to the left, where it struck a creek embankment.
Fire personnel with Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department and Huxley Volunteer Fire Department and Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, held the scene and diverted traffic when necessary while DPS Troopers investigated.
Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, pronounced Sims deceased and Mangum Funeral Home transported him from the scene.
The crash was investigated by Trooper Taylor Buster, assisted by Trooper Dustin Ramos, Trooper Daniel Dellenger, and Sgt. Aaron Shelton.
July 24, 2024 - A field located off CR 1021 in Shelby County was the scene of an emergency plane landing July 24, 2024.
Emergency personnel responded to the location around 2:50pm where it was learned the pilot made an unscheduled landing due to an equipment issue. The pilot was traveling alone and no injuries were reported.
Agencies on scene included the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Emergency Management and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department.
July 24, 2024 - Effective July 23, 2024 Until further notice
Due to electrical outage, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 to notifyCustomers on the old Bland Lake Water System 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.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) can also be reached at 512-239-4691.
July 23, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners recognized $400,000 in interest to the budget during their meeting held June 26, 2024.
The commissioners considered a FY2024 budget amendment to recognize additional interest income and increase the courthouse repairs expense budget.
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, outlined three projects that total around $350,000 in expense to the county.
“Three things that have happened that constitute making this budget amendment, one, annex repairs which have been extensive and are still ongoing. The elevator basically the rebuild that we're going to do, and then the roof at the Annex which we just discussed. So, those three things are over $350,000,” said Porterfield.
The commissioners were provided with details reflecting an interest income received over budget of $426,751.56, bringing the total to $726,751.56.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to increase the Courthouse Repairs fund by $400,000 with money from the Interest fund as presented by Auditor Porterfield, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Jimmy Lout. The motion carried.
Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer, commented on a couple of invoices received and the first was for repair to the elevator in the active courthouse from American Elevator Technologies in the amount of $4,952.87, and she also referenced receiving an invoice from A-lert Roof Systems in the amount of $56,615, which was under the proposed amount for repairs to the Courthouse Annex building.
Blackwell stated that even though the majority of the SWEPCO utility bills arrive in enough time to be paid around the same time, there are some that can come in later. She referenced two received fro the Historic 1885 Courthouse, at an amount of $1,681.44, and for the active courthouse, at an amount of $2576.44, for a total of $4,257.88 Blackwell asked to be added to the weekly expenses for payment.
Commissioner Stevie Smith, moved to pay the weekly expenses including the two additional bills, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Tom Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The commissioners were presented with a memorandum of agreement to consider between Burke Center and Shelby County for the purpose of receiving grant funds to be utilized by the Sheriff’s Department to establish a mental health deputy program.
Melanie Taylor, Burke Center CEO, said that five counties partnered with Burke Center on the grant and that $750,000 per year for two years has been approved for the program.
“There's five counties that partnered with us to do the grant, and we got $750,000 per year for two years, and we're very optimistic that the grant will be extended,” said Taylor. “The legislature solved a need. Our crisis intervention has increased dramatically over the last few years, not only the number, but the severity. I mean, the Sheriff Department can attest to that and most of the time the first responder to a crisis is your law enforcement officer.”
Taylor explained the application was made for the mental health deputy grant and it allows the county to hire a mental health deputy or use a current deputy to have the specialized training in mental health crisis intervention, allowing the Sheriff’s Department and Burke to work collaboratively with their mental health professionals and law enforcement who has a specialized training to help prevent people from living in jail or in emergency rooms. Taylor said it offers 75% and then the county does a 25% match.
“We currently have a mental health deputy who is Jim Ed Matthews. He basically anytime night or day he responds to a mental health crisis that we may have he's also over probably 90% of our mental health transports at this time,” said Shelby County Sheriff Chief Deputy Chad Hooper.
Chief Hooper said that while the meeting was ongoing, Matthews was transporting someone to Conroe while another officer was transporting individuals “in crisis” to Lufkin.
“I think the grant is a great asset to us why not let the state help pay for these issues. It would free up another deputy position, not that we have people meeting at our doors to fill them, but I think coming up with 25%, if they're going to pay the 75% would be great,” said Hooper.
Hooper explained the grant would pay for everything an officer needs, including a vest, computers, patrol car lease, fuel for transportation. He said that 99% of the people they transport are to Conroe, or south of Houston, which is expensive aside from the pay for the deputy, wear and tear on a vehicle and fuel.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved for the county to engage in the agreement with Burke Center contingent on the corrections County Attorney pointed out, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain. The motion carried.
The commissioners considered requesting bids for four belly dump trailers for the Road and Bridge Department to be paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Commissioner McSwain moved to request bids, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Lout. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:08am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. FY2024 budget amendment to recognize additional interest income and increase courthouse repairs expense budget. 3. Memorandum of Agreement between Burke and Shelby County for the purpose of receiving grant funds to be utilized by the Sheriff’s Department to establish a mental health deputy program. 4. Request bids for four belly dump trailers for the Road and Bridge Department to be paid from ARPA funds. 5. Adjourn 10:08am.
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