Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 5th day of June, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

2. Public comments on Agenda item.

3. Advertise to take sealed bids on remodeling the Juvenile Probation building.

4. Adjourn.

The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is waiving fees at day-use recreation sites June 8 for National Get Outdoors Day.

“We hope this free day offers an incentive to all people to experience the great outdoors in our forests and grasslands,” Forest Supervisor Eddie Taylor said.

Camping fees remain in effect, but day-use fees will be waived on Saturday, June 8 at these recreation areas and trails:

Angelina National Forest: Caney Creek and Townsend.

Sabine National Forest: Haley’s Ferry, Red Hill, East Hamilton, Indian Mounds, Lakeview and Willow Oak.

Davy Crockett National Forest:  Ratcliff Lake and Piney Creek Horse Trail.

Sam Houston National Forest: Cagle Boat Ramp, Scotts Ridge, and Double Lake.

Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands: Coffee Mill Lake, Black Creek Lake, and East Lake Crockett.

Other fee-free days are National Public Lands Day and Veteran’s Day weekend.

For more information, contact the Angelina District Office at 936-897-1068; Sabine District Office at 409-625-1940; Davy Crockett District Office at 936-655-2299; Sam Houston District Office at 936-344-6205; the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson Grasslands at 940-627-5475, or visit the website at: www.fs.usda.gov/texas. 

On Friday, May 31, 2019, at around 9:30 a.m. a one-vehicle wreck occurred on FM 414 near the Campti community. According to a DPS officer on the scene, the driver was identified as Karen Walkers of Center, Texas.

Walkers was traveling westbound on FM 414 along with a 2-year-old passenger when she swerved to miss a dog crashing into a tree. No injuries or fatalities were reported by officials on the scene.

Center Fire Dept. and Hughes Wrecker Service

The Center Fire Department, Hughes Wrecker Service, and the Texas DPS all responded to the scene to help slow traffic and clear the area of the wreck.

Texas DPS

The Jury that was summoned for Monday, June 3, 2019, for the 273rd District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, has been cancelled. 

All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed. 

Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until the receive a future summons. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Lori Oliver
District Clerk

(Nacogdoches, Texas),  May 30, 2019 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lance Jacobs announced the Nacogdoches USDA Service Center is continuing to take applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).  This program addresses damages from Tornadic Activity on Saturday, April 13, 2019 in Nacogdoches County and Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in San Augustine County. ECP signup began on May 13, 2019, and will end on June 11, 2019.

The approved ECP practices under this authorization include:

EC1    Removing Debris From Farmland
EC2    Grading, Shaping, Releveling, or Similar Measures
EC3    Restoring Permanent Fences
EC4    Restoring Conservation Structures and Other Installations

ECP assists producers with the recovery cost to restore the agricultural land to pre-disaster conditions. Approved ECP applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the cost of approved restoration activity. Eligible socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers can receive up to 90 percent of the eligible cost of restoration.

“Dealing with natural disasters is never easy, especially when you have to consider the health and safety of livestock, but it’s important for producers to call our office before they take any action,” said Jacobs.

Producers with damage from such events must apply for assistance prior to beginning reconstructive work. FSA’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental compliance review process is required to be completed before any actions are taken. Submitting an application after reconstructive work has been completed may not qualify for ECP. 

FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of the damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

The use of ECP funds is limited to activities to return the land to the relative pre-disaster condition. Conservation concerns that were present on the land prior to the disaster are not eligible for ECP assistance.

For more information on ECP, please contact the Nacogdoches County FSA office at (936) 564-5891 extension 2 or visit https://www.farmers.gov/recover.

Center ISD will be hosting the Seamless Summer feeding program for the summer. The program provides free meals for children 18 and under. You do not have to be enrolled in Center ISD for these meals.

The following campuses will be open for the summer:

F.L. Moffett will be open from June 3rd through August 1st for breakfast and lunch.

Center Elementary will be open from June 3rd through July 18th for breakfast and lunch.

Center Intermediate and Middle School will be open from June 3rd through July 18th for breakfast and lunch. 

Breakfast will be served from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m., Monday through Thursday. All schools will be closed the week of Jul 1st through July 5th.

For more information please contact Tina Byrnes, Center ISD Food Service Director at 936-598-1599 or 936-590-1118.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents of a scam that is circulating in our area. This scam is referred to as the “Grandparent Scam.”

The caller claims to be a relative (usually a granddaughter or grandson) and claims that they are in jail. The caller request that they contact a person at a certain number or tells them that a bondsman will be contacting them in a few minutes and ask for help in getting out of jail. The victim will then either receive a phone call or told to call a number given to them and speak to a person claiming to be a bondsman. This “bondsman” is a fake and will usually ask for a credit card number, or a pre-paid credit card such as a Green-DOT card, etc.,

DO NOT GIVE THE CALLER ANY INFORMATION. This is a scam. Find out what jail the family member is supposedly being held and call to verify whether they are there or not. Always meet a bondsman at their office or at the jail where you are bonding the person out.

On June 28th we will have a meeting at City Hall with the Mayor and hopefully many other town mayors and reps.  There will be a proclamation made naming June "Hunger Awareness Month".  This will allow everyone to have the entire month to focus on feeding those that are in need. 

The meeting will be at the Center City Hall from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

On May 29, 2019, at around 1 p.m. the Center Fire department and Hughes Wrecker service responded to a Lawnmower that was reported to be on fire on Lakewood Drive in Center, Texas. They quickly put out the fire. There were no injuries that occurred. The only thing damaged was the mower.

On May 29, 2019, the Shelby County Commissioners' Court held a meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the active Shelby County Courthouse. The court took the following actions:

1. They approved the payment of weekly expenses.

2. They approved the current payroll.

3. No public comments were given on the agenda items.

4. The court accepted bids on several properties: a 50 ft by 140 ft piece of land $400, .161 acres $400, 1.5 acres $5,000, .08 acres $1,500, and $1,000 for another piece of property.

5. Jessie Jones was on the agenda to address the court about opening a boys and girls club in Shelby County but did not show up for the meeting.

6. Lastly, the court adjourned.

On June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foothold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high - more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded - but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler.

Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Auxiliary will lay a Memorial Wreath in remembrance of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, June 6th, 2019 at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the 1885 Historic Shelby County Courthouse in Center.  The program will begin at 10 am and as always, the public is cordially invited to attend and remember their fellow Americans.

The Pony Express will be on the downtown square in front of the historic 
Court House on Monday, June 17th from 1:00-1:30. This starts to kick off the Timpson Frontier Days celebration.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce announces there will be a Leadership Conference on Wednesday, June 5th, at the Windham Civic Center from 10 am until 1:00 pm.

The guest speaker will be Marcus Cox, an Associate Professor of Management in the Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University.  

The title of his presentation is Multiple Generations in the Workforce and Changing Demographic Trends: What’s a Manager to Do?

Mr. Cox will discuss the generations in today’s workforce and the stereotypes and problems associated with them; what every worker needs, regardless of the generation; how managers can help younger workers and capture the knowledge of older workers; and helping younger managers with more senior employees.  He will also address the demographic changes in Texas and their impact in the workplace, how to manage a much more diverse workforce, the legal aspects of human resource management and what all workers want in their jobs and from their bosses. There will be a working lunch with small group discussions.

The presentation is designed for business owners, managers, team members, and professionals, and is open to the public. 

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce by May 31st by calling 936-598-3682 or email to info@shelbycountychamber.com.  There is no charge for the Conference.  Lunch will be $10.00.

Please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for additional information.

The City Council of Joaquin will meet in special session Saturday, June 1, 2019
9 a.m. at The Joaquin City Hall located at 124 North Preston, Joaquin, Texas.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order, establish quorum & welcome guest.
2. Swearing in of new Joaquin City Mayor elected May 4, 2019.
3. Discussion & Council action on appointment of Mayor Pro-tem.
4. Discussion & Council action on the addition and removal of signees from American State Bank accounts.
5. Discussion & Council action to adopt a resolution to submit a 2019 TxCDBG-FAST grant application
6. Adjournment.  
 

The water on San Augustine Rural WSC 
no longer requires boiling.

On May 23, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, 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.

San Augustine Rural Water 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 May 28, 2019.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office:
220 West Columbia Street

San Augustine, Texas.
936-288-0489
or
Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691. 

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the San Augustine County Commissioners Court will be held on Tuesday 28th, 2019, at 9 a.m. at the San Augustine County Courthouse located at 100 West Columbia, Room 103. Click here to see the agenda:

Sabine County Beekeepers will meet June 3rd, at 6:30 pm at Sabine County Chamber of Commerce (125 N. Texas Street on the square in downtown Hemphill).

We will start meeting the first Monday of every month to discuss all aspects of beekeeping.

If you are interested in finding out what we are all about please stop by. We have no officers and no dues.

For more info call James 409-625-4787. We will meet on the first Monday of every month.

For more information contact:
Jackie Cannon

903.592.1454

jackie@championsforchildren.org

Champions for Children Community Sale Scheduled for June 1st

The public is invited to attend the 2nd Annual "Community Rummage Sale" benefiting Champions for Children, Saturday, June 1, 8 am-1 pm.

Admission is free. More than 60 families and businesses have signed up to participate. "We will have a little bit of everything," said Jackie Cannon,
executive director of Champions. "This is our second year to host the sale and we are so excited to see participation double. We already have
twice as many booths with so much great stuff -- everything from clothing to golf clubs to furniture."

Daycare facilities and nonprofit organizations can rent a space in the sale for only $5 each. For profits businesses and individuals can rent a space for $10 each.
The proceeds from the booth rentals benefit programs at Champions as well as the sale of any items donated to Champions for the sale.

"Those who don't want to participate can simply drop off their unwanted items and donate them," Ms. Cannon added. "It's an easy alternative to having a garage sale
on your own." The sale will be held rain or shine. It will be held in the Champions for Children parking lot at 4883 Hightech Drive, Tyler, 75703. In the case of rain, 
the sale will move into their offices at the same location.

For more information or to rent a space, contact Champions for Children, 903.592.1454.

championsforchildren.org
Rachel Ashcraft
Smith County Champions for Children
Director of Case Management & Marketing
903.592.1454 office
903.312.5372 cell
 

Press Release
May 24, 2019
Sheriff Jayson Richardson
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office
 

On May 24, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office Government Plaza in Stonewall, LA.  The proposed structure will act as a northern substation for the Sheriff’s Office where we will be able to extend services currently only available at our main office in Mansfield.  The same services will also be expanded to the Logansport Substation as well.  These services include taking tax and ticket payments, with the ability to expand in the future based off of the need of the Parish.  The facilities will also provide a 24-hour video surveillance "Safe Zone" for citizen exchanges to take place.

We have worked with other government entities, namely the Town of Stonewall and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury, to include them in this construction project.  Both entities will have space inside of the structure to conduct day-to-day operations.  They also had input and feedback on the project and worked directly with the architect to build a work area that is suitable for their operation.   Construction on the project is currently underway with an estimated completion date of May 12, 2020.

The current estimated square footage for each entity is as follows:
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office - 6,074 sq ft.
DeSoto Parish Police Jury - 1,516 sq ft
Town of Stonewall - 2,310 sq ft
Common Area - 3,690 sq ft

On May 23, 2019, at approximately 9:30 a.m. there was a one-vehicle wreck involving a black car that occurred near the intersection of Hurst Street and Nacogdoches Street in Center, Texas. 

According to the Center Fire Department, the driver of the vehicle fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a nearby concrete barrier. No injuries were reported on the scene according to the Center Firemen. 

The Center Fire Department and Center Police Department both responded and blocked traffic. The Fire Department helped clean up the scene and East Texas Towing hauled off the vehicle. The scene of the wreck was quickly cleaned up and traffic resumed. The Center Fire Department returned to the station at 10 a.m.

Appendix C3: Boil Water Notice Rescinded
05/24/2019

ON 05/20/2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Shelbyville public water system, 2100014 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 05/24/2019.   

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Loy Sonmor at 936-591-1233.

TUESDAY MAY 28, 2019

Notice is hereby given a Special Called Meeting of the governing body of the City of Tenaha will be held on Tuesday May 28, 2019 @ 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Meeting Room located at 238 N. George Bowers Drive in Tenaha, Texas.  If while the meeting, any discussion on items on the Agenda should be held in executive session, the Council will convene in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code Section 551.101.   

Order of Business

1. Call to Order
2. Welcome/Prayer/Pledge
3. Roll Call and Establish a quorum.
4. Public Comments (Limited to 3 minutes)
5. Discuss and Consider the Approval of Repealing Ordinance No. 2018-04-02. ACTION
6. Discuss and Consider the Approval of amending and adding job duties to the City Secretary job description. ACTION
7. Discuss and Consider the Approval of Resolution No 2019-05-28 to Add Alderman Linda Vickery to Bank Accounts for the City of Tenaha with First National Bank of Hughes Springs and online banking access. ACTION
8. Council Comments
9. Adjourn

Timpson will have their memorial day program next Monday 5-27-19 at 10 a.m. on the downtown Timpson square.

The Timpson school in conjunction with the American Legion Post 90 will honor all our brave service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for the freedom we have.

The Shelbyville Dragon's boys baseball team lost out in their matches against Simms Bowie Pirates at ETBU in Marshall, Texas. This finishes Shelbyville up for their baseball season.  

Scores:

Game 1

Simms Bowie 2

Shelbyville 1

Game 2

Simms Bowie 7

Shelbyville 1

The Pirates stole the victory from Shelbyville.

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 29th day of May, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

2. Approve current payroll.

3. Public comments on Agenda item.

4. Accept or Reject bids on sale of Property.

5. Jessie Jones to address Commissioners Court about opening a Boys and Girls Club in Shelby County.

6. Adjourn.
 

Effective May 23, 2019
Until further notice

Due to a major break in the line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System  PWS  #2030007 to notify all customers on FM 2213, Roberts Community, and Hwy 96 S. 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.

Center ISD

Graduation: May 24th at 8 p.m.

Project Graduation: May 24 at the Center High School cafeteria, doors will be closed at 10:30 p.m. 

Joaquin ISD

Graduation: May 17th at 8 p.m. 

Project Graduation: May 17th at the Joaquin School gym. 

Tenaha ISD

Graduation: May 30th, at 7 p.m.  

Project Graduation: May 30th at the gym starts at 11 p.m. 

Shelbyville ISD

Graduation: May 24th at 7 p.m. 

Project Graduation: May 24th at 11 p.m. at Shelbyville school gym.

Timpson ISD

Graduation: May 24th at 8 p.m. in the event center. 

Senior Celebration: May 20th at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. 

Excelsior ISD

Graduation: Kindergarten May 21st at 9 a.m., 8th Grade May 23rd at 7 p.m.

San Augustine ISD

Graduation: May 24th at 7 p.m. at the gym. 

Senior Celebration: May 17th at SFA Recreation Center the event starts at 10 a.m.

Garrison ISD

Graduation: May 31st at 8 p.m. 

Project Graduation: According to Garrison ISD they will not have project graduation. 

Carthage ISD

Graduation: May 24th at 8 p.m. at the football stadium. 

Project Graduation: According to Carthage ISD they will not have project graduation.

This year Texan's are facing more millipedes and centipedes than usual. This is due in part to getting more rain this time of the year.

These critters are often confused with insects but in reality are arthropods, meaning they are more closely related to crawfish than roaches. Their name is derived from Latin meaning one-thousand feet. Interesting there is no known species of millipede with one-thousand legs. The species with the most legs 750 is known as Illacme plenipes.

Millipedes are virtually harmless and often roll up as a form of defense. Under stress millipedes are capable of omitting or spraying a mild acidic toxin that causes some irritation if it comes in contact with a person's skin, this phenomenon is more readily observable with the larger varieties of the species.

Centipedes the relatives of millipedes also have a Latin origin with their name meaning 100 feet. Although there are no known species with one-hundred legs. Unlike millipedes, centipedes could be dangerous as they are capable of injecting a toxin into their victims with special front legs that act as fangs or pinchers. The leg-fangs are known as forcipules and are deadly to the insects and other prey they hunt. In humans, the vast amount of the smaller varieties of centipedes only cause a local painful reaction around the bite area. While some of the larger species have been known to inflict extreme pain when they “bite” people with their forcipules.

Nacogdoches County Extension Agent Ricky Thompson

Nacogdoches County Texas & AM Agri-Life Extension Agent Ricky Thompson informed of the different varieties of poison that are more likely to kill off these abominable arthropods.

Sources:

Photo Credits:

Centipede with eggs - PageBD.com

Millipeged png file - KISSPNG

Blue Background - benishop.co

Ricky Thompson - Justin Mott

Video Credits:

Arizona Millipede - CCR Zone's youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1EoqK06grI

Mad Texas Centipede - Dabcorn Popper's youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvnPxVP_spI

Marco of Ant - duncantakeru's youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBbhbw9dS8Y

Music Credits:

Background Music - AShamaluevMusic's youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcAX2cbsdRw

Bugging You - original smilepop.com, download source youtube

The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.

On May 20, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, 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.

N.E.W. 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 23, 2019.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office:
220 West Columbia Street  
 San Augustine, Texas.
936-288-0489
or
Charles Sharp  936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691. 

I decided to separate the Summer weather from the Hurricane Season also discussed this morning on the NWS Weather Briefing as the Hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin will start until JUNE 1st. Below are the thoughts from the Climate Prediction Center on our Hurricane Outlook for the 2019 Season.

NOAA's 2019 Hurricane Season Outlook

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is predicting that a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year.

The outlook forecasts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season, which extends from June 1st to November 30th.

NOAA forecasters predict a 70 percent likelihood of 9 to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4, or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). 
An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.

This outlook consists of competing for climate factors: 

The ongoing El Nino is expected to persist and suppress the intensity of the hurricane season. 
Countering El Nino is the expected combination of warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and an enhanced west African monsoon, both of which favor increased hurricane activity. 

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center will update the 2019 Atlantic seasonal outlook in early August, just prior to the peak of the hurricane season.

We are proud to announce our Excelsior Kindergarten Graduates 2019

Ella Almaraz, Hallie Barbee, Clay Warr, Jamie Warr, Cannon Welch, Michaela Whiteside

Also our Excelsior 8th Graduates:  Rylan Chandler, Maylin Ivey, Jada Jacobs, Breia Lout, Jamie Stotts, Dean Walker, Dane Walker

Thank you,
Leslie Schulz

Deputies were dispatched to the 900 block of 8th ST in Cushing, TX on 5-8-19 at around 4:30 am in reference to a vehicle fire. Deputies spoke with a witness who observed a Black Dodge Charger stop near a residence and observed 4 males exit the vehicle. The four suspects were observed approaching a house and setting a car on fire that was parked near a residence. All four subjects then ran back to their vehicle and speed off.  A Witness who lived in the area, heard a car alarm go off and then two explosions and then observed that their neighbor's car was on fire. 

An attempt to locate was given out on the suspect vehicle that left the scene. Deputies arrived on location and discovered evidence that pointed towards Arson. Deputies learned that the Victims Ex-boyfriend (Bello Filix Abu) drove a Black Dodge Charger and the two had recently broken up from a dating relationship. 

Jacksonville PD and Cherokee Sheriff Office located the Black Dodge Charger in Cherokee County after the incident and identified the four male subjects. Officers located evidence in the Dodge Charger that could be used to commit Arson. 

Investigators went to the Jacksonville Walmart and found footage of Bello and the occupants purchasing a gas can and rags the evening before. 

NCSO Investigators interviewed multiple witnesses and obtained a Search Warrant for the Dodge Charger, and seized evidence that was believed to have been used during the Arson. After further investigation it was determined that Bello was the primary suspect in the case that set the car on fire.   

An Arrest Warrant for Arson a 2nd felony was issued for the arrest of Bello Abu 29 years of age from Jacksonville, Tx. He was arrested by Jacksonville PD on Friday, 05-10-19 and booked into the Cherokee County Jail where he later made bond. This investigation is ongoing. 

Bossier City– In May 2019, the Kenosha Country Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin initiated an investigation on a Bossier City man, 49-year-old William Kramer, who was having sexual conversations with a minor from Wisconsin.  

During the investigation, Kramer discussed paying for the underage child’s plane ticket to travel to Louisiana for sexual purposes. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office contacted Louisiana State Police Special Victim’s Unit and the Department of Homeland Security.  A search warrant and arrest warrant were obtained. 

On May 22, 2019, the US Marshal's Task Force placed Kramer under arrest for the warrants.  The Louisiana State Police Special Victim’s Unit and members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force then began the search and investigation of Kramer’s residence.  Preliminary investigation revealed evidence that Kramer has chatted online with multiple underage children and some possibly within the Shreveport/Bossier area.  If you feel you are a victim or you know someone who was a victim of Kramer's please call 318-741-2733.

Kramer was booked into the Bossier Maximum Security Jail and charged with computer aided solicitation of a minor and seven (7) counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.  Kramer’s bond was set for $120,000. 

The Louisiana State Police maintains close partnerships with other law enforcement agencies.  The ICAC Task Force which consists of the Department of Homeland Security, Caddo District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana Attorney General's High Tech Crime Unit, Bossier Marshal's Office,  FBI, and Shreveport Police Department were instrumental in the successful search and investigation of Kramer’s residence. 

Property owners who disagree with the Shelby County Appraisal District’s appraisal of their property for local taxes or for any other action that adversely affects them may protest their property value to the appraisal district’s Appraisal Review Board (ARB).

A property owner must file a written notice of protest before Jun 13th or within 30 days after the appraisal district mails the taxpayer a notice of appraised value, whichever is later.  The ARB will begin hearing taxpayer protests on July 10th.

After the ARB completes its hearings and approves final property tax appraisals, taxing units will use these appraisals to set the property tax rates.

The ARB is a group of citizens who live in the appraisal district and are appointed by the appraisal district’s board of directors. Property owners may protest any of the following issues to the ARB:

the appraised or market value of the property; unequal appraisal of the taxpayer’s property compared to similar property in the district; inclusion of the property on the appraisal records; denial of a partial exemption, such as a homestead exemption; denial of special appraisals, such as agricultural or timber productivity appraisal; determination that agricultural or timber land has had a change of use and is subject to a rollback tax; identification of the taxing unit or units in which the property is located; determination that the taxpayer is the owner of the property; or any other action of the appraisal office that adversely affects the owner.

The ARB schedules a hearing and sends the protesting property owner written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The law contains specific timelines and procedures for both the owner and the ARB throughout the appraisal protest process. These are detailed in the state Comptroller’s publication, Property Taxpayer Remedies. Copies are available on our website at www.shelbycad.com or at the Shelby County Appraisal District’s office at 724 Shelbyville Street, Center, Texas.  The publication is also available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/.

A Dallas man was arrested after an ongoing investigation by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office.  A warrant was issued for the arrest of Ronnie Ree Roberts Jr, on 05-03-2019. Roberts who lives in the Dallas area was arrested by the Glenn Heights Police Department and booked into jail. He was transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail on Monday 05-20-19. 

The investigation started when a child younger than 14 years of age made an outcry to a school counselor. A forensic interview and sane exam was conducted by the Harold’s House in Nacogdoches. Investigators believe that the victim was abused by the suspect on numerous occasions over the course of several years. 

Roberts was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on charges of Continuous sexual assault of a child a 1st-degree felony, and Prohibited sexual conduct a 3rd felony. Bond was set on both charges at $115,000.00 dollars. 

The Shelby County Commissioners Court met on May 22, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at the active Shelby County Courthouse.

The court opened with a prayer

The meeting started with a prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance to America and Texas, the court then took the following actions:

1. They approved and paid weekly expenses.

2. They offered to take public comments on agenda items, no one gave any public comments.

3. They took action to recognize the Fiscal Year 2019 Fund Cash balance for Precinct 4 and adjust the Fiscal Year Budgeted Fund Carryover and adjusted the Fiscal Year 2019 Expense Budget.

 Ken Leonard address court about the 2020 Census 

4. Partnership Specialists Ken Leonard and Anndrea Johnson with the United States Census Bureau attended the meeting. Leonard gave a presentation asking the court to help with reaching out and getting the community involved in the Census so that more people who may not normally fill out the Census be reached.

Anndrea Johnson

Starting in March of next year the Census will be able to be filled out online or over the phone with a Census Bureau representative. There are also Census job available in our area for more information on that visit: 2020census.gov/jobs

Justin Matthews gives a presentation

5. The court listened to the presentation of the Shelby County Fiscal year of 2018 by Mr. Justin Matthews a CPA with Axley & Rode, LLP.

Tyson Foods Employees Jane Nash & Bob Chavis address the court about Tyson opening a mill

6. A public hearing commences where the court publicly talked to Bob Chavis Project Manager and Jane Nash Director of Tax with Tyson Foods about a possible tax abatement with the company regarding the building of a mill in Shelby County. The public was allowed to ask questions during the event. The court approved the tax abatement for 5 years and tax agreement with Tyson Foods providing that they do purchase the property and construct the mill.

Video Coverage:

7. Lastly, the court adjourned.

On May 21, 2019, at 2 p.m. the Shelby County Historical Society had their meeting at the Shelby County Museum located on Pecan Street in Center Texas. The group was visited by a veteran bird watcher who gave a presentation on some of the many birds that he and his wife have encountered in their travels doing bird watching.

Doug Fincher
 

Doug Fincher has been doing bird watching and photography for 25 years and counting. 

LUFKIN, TX - The Texas Forestry Association will host a tour to highlight the selection of Harold and Mary Jane Denson’s 341-acre tree farm, in Smith County as the 2019 Texas Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Densons manage their Tree Farm, located near Arp, Texas, for timber income, wildlife habitat and hunting, recreation and aesthetic value.

The tour will begin with a history of this generational tree farm which has been in the family for 151 years. The tour will also include information regarding open land planting, reforestation, soils stability, improvement thinning and more. The importance of fire lane maintenance and erosion control will also be discussed, and the Densons, as well as professional foresters, will be on hand to answer any questions landowners might present.

Participants are asked to wear outside attire and comfortable shoes/boots for walking to the stations. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Space is limited to 150 participants and registration is required to reserve your spot. Register online by clicking the Events tab on texasforestry.org or please call 1-866-TXTREES, 936-632-8733 or email tfa@texasforestry.org. with your name, mailing address and the number attending.

Nacogdoches, Texas, May 15, 2019 – For the eighth consecutive reporting period, Nacogdoches Medical Center, the hospital anchor of NMC Health Network, has earned an “A” grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to hospital performance improvements in the areas of quality and safety. NMC received the “A” rating in Leapfrog’s Spring 2019 Safety Score, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality patient care.

NMC is the only hospital:

·         Within 100 miles to receive an A for the eighth consecutive reporting period,

·         And the only hospital within 70 miles with a current A grade.

“This eighth straight A rating recognizes our continuous commitment to placing safety at the forefront of our patients’ care,” said Chief Executive Officer, Philip Koovakada “This recognition and NMC’s success is a credit to our employees and their commitment to serve and compassionately care for each patient that walks through our doors. It is part of who we are as an organization because it is engrained in our culture.”

Not only a leader in East Texas, but NMC is also one of a select number of hospitals nationally, to receive this top grade for patient safety.  The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Score is a rating system designed to give consumers the information they can use to make healthcare decisions for themselves or a loved one. The Leapfrog Group assigns A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals based on their ability to prevent errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Safety Grade uses 28 measures of available safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. Designed to inform the public so that they can protect themselves and their families, the score is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University finds that a hospital's safety score has life-or-death consequences for patients. Patients at a D hospital have a 50 percent higher risk of avoidable death than patients at an A hospital. The study concluded that more than 33,000 lives could be saved each year if all hospitals had the same performance as those, like NMC, who received an A.[1]

“This is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections, and injuries,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving an ‘A’ Safety Grade means a hospital is among the best in the country for preventing these terrible problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day.”

The staff of NMC Health Network are committed to the communities where they live and serve. They work tirelessly to care for their neighbors and friends each day, relentlessly pursuing the organization’s Mission: To serve, heal and educate the community. This passion for the health and wellbeing of our community has resulted in many other recent accomplishments including:

·         Primary Stroke Center Certification and the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Checkmark for Primary Stroke Centers

·         The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Chest Pain and Total Joint Replacement

·         Commission on Cancer Accreditation through the American College of Surgeons

·         Level IV Trauma Center Designation and Level II Special Care Nursery Designation by The Texas Department of State Health Services

“We are so proud of each of these accomplishments, as they reflect the hard work and dedication of our staff,” said Rita Greenville, Director of Clinical Quality at NMC. “The health and safety of our patients is paramount. It is our responsibility and privilege to help our community live healthier and happier lives.”

To see Nacogdoches Medical Center’s full scores and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visit https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/ or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

The Shelby County Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting May 21, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. in the Shelby County Museum on Pecan Street. Our guest speaker this month will be Doug Fincher.   He will speak to us about Bird Watching in Shelby County.   Everyone is invited to attend.

East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF) awarded $241,050 in scholarships to high school and college students from East Texas for the 2019-20 school years. Recipients were honored at a reception at The Tyler Civic Theater on Monday, May 20th. Scholarship amounts range from $450-$5,000 per student originating from 68 different scholarship funds at ETCF. 

“East Texas Communities Foundation is honored to help these deserving students continue their education and grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the charitable goals of the many individuals, organizations, and families who have made it possible,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation. “Each year we are impressed with the quality of students applying for these funds. The donors who have invested in these students through the creation of scholarship funds have given a lasting gift to all East Texans.”

For a complete listing of 2019 scholarship recipients, please go to:

http://etcf.org/scholarships/student-resources/ and click on past recipients. 

Due to an electrical problem at Plant 1, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation  PWS  # 2030034 to notify all customers on FM 711, Kellyville, Fountain Town, and Harmony Communities. Customers are 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.

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 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 N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation  at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489
 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

Due to a water outage from loss of pressure caused by the storm the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Shelbyville public water system ID# 2100014 to notify all customers on Shelbyville Water 05/19/2019 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 Loy Sonmor at 936-591-1233.

Officers for the year 2019 – 2020 of Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 Auxiliary were installed at their monthly meeting on Saturday, May 18.

L-R: Carolyn Umbrell, Trustee # 3; Joy Hutto, Chaplain; Paul Risinger (sitting), Guard; Beverly Langford, Secretary; Sandy Risinger, Sr. Vice; Mary Fausett, President, Theresa Hume, Treasurer.  Installing Officer in back, past District 19 Commander and Post 8904 Quartermaster Larry Hume.

Congratulations to Center FFA members, Lance Holloway and Wesley Wages, for placing first in the Pineywoods District and Area IX Star Greenhand divisions. Lance competed in Star Greenhand Agribusiness. Wesley competed in Star Greenhand Production.

FFA members competing in Star Agribusiness have an entrepreneurial agribusiness SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience). This SAE revolves

around agricultural sales, services, or other entrepreneurial endeavors.

FFA members competing in Star Production have a production agriculture SAE like animal or crop production. To document their finances and SAE hours, Lance and Wesley completed a detailed record book. Along with their record book and application, each boy participated in an interview. In this interview, each boy displayed their SAE knowledge and explained their finances, goals, successes, and learning outcomes.

Lance and Wesley will be competing at the State Degree Check on June 5th-7th
at Tarleton State University. Currently, the boys are among the Top 12 individuals in Texas.

Lance and Wesley will be recognized at the 91st Texas FFA State Convention on July 15th-19th. The winners will be announced on stage. We wish them luck as they prepare for the final stage of the competition!

photo by: Ashley Richey

The Dragons will play Simms Bowie in the Regional Semi-Finals on Thursday, May 23 @ 5:00 pm; Game 2 will be 30 minutes after; Game 3 if necessary will be Saturday, May 25 @ Noon. All games at ETBU in Marshall, TX.  We are 1st Base dugout and admission is $5.

The Shelby County Appraisal District mailed appraisal notices on May 15th. Your city,
county, school district and other local taxing units will use the appraisal district’s value to
set your 2019 property tax rates.

Under Texas law, county appraisal districts are required to notify property owners about
changes in their property’s value. The notice contains important information about the
property’s location, its ownership and property tax exemptions that have been applied to
the property. It must also include an estimate of the taxes by local taxing units.
Remember that this is an estimate of the taxes based on last year’s tax rates. The
taxing entities will not set the new rates until later this year.

Property owners who disagree with the appraised value of their property, the
exemptions or any other action by the appraisal district have the right to appeal to the
Shelby County Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent panel of
citizens responsible for hearing and settling property owner protests. The notice of
appraised value includes instructions on how and when to file a protest, a protest form
and the Comptroller’s Property Taxpayer Remedies. The deadline for filing a protest
with the ARB is June 13th or 30 days after the date the notice of appraised value is
mailed, whichever is later.

The Texas Comptroller’s publication Property Taxpayer Remedies, explains in detail
how to protest your property appraisal, what issues the ARB can consider and what to
expect during a protest hearing. The publication also discusses the option of taking your
case to court or entering into binding arbitration if you are dissatisfied with the outcome
of your ARB hearing.

Property Taxpayer Remedies is available on the Shelby County Appraisal District’s
website at www.shelbycad.com or by calling (936) 598-6171. The publication is also
available on the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division’s website at
www.comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/. 
 

As of 3 PM on Sunday, May 19th, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 1,450 members without power after overnight storms.  Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible.

San Augustine Co: 500 Members

Shelby Co: 390 Members

Nacogdoches Co: 250 Members

Newton Co: 213 Members

Sabine Co: 90 Members

Jasper Co: 5 Members

Above all, DETEC encourages everyone to keep safety a priority. Should you encounter a downed line, consider it live and dangerous.  

To report your outage, please call 1-800-392-5986.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Center Garden Club met for a luncheon, a special Mother’s Day tribute, and an officer installation on May 15 in the home of Carolyn Bounds.

 The following officers were installed by a former Club President Carolyn Bounds:  President, Carole Chance; FIrst Vice President, Colleen Doggett; Second Vice President, Pam Sykes; Secretary, Robbie Kerr; Treasurer, Cherry Jones; Librarian, Lisa Albers; and Parliamentarian, Linda Bordelon.?

The Jury that was summoned for Monday, May 20, 2019, for the 273rd District Court, Honorable James A. Payne, Jr. presiding, has been canceled.

All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed. 

Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until they receive a future summons. 

Thank you.

Houston Man Sentenced for Federal Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Violations

               BEAUMONT, Texas – A 41-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and money laundering violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.

John D. Leontaritis, owner and operator of Vanderhall Exotics of Houston, and former owner-operator of Global Motorcars of Houston, car dealerships that specialized in exotic, luxury automobiles, was found guilty by a jury on Dec. 4, 2018 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, as well as, conspiracy to commit money laundering, which were committed from 2013 to 2017 in both the Houston and Beaumont areas. Today, he was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

               According to information presented in court, Leontaritis acted as a financier in a large-scale Houston-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of drugs from Mexico to various cities in the United States for several years. Specifically, Leontaritis laundered drug profits through his luxury automobile dealership in Houston by accepting cash from known drug dealers in return for luxury vehicles. As part of the conspiracy, he used fraudulent dealer invoices to hide the true identity of the buyers from law enforcement.  The conspiracy spanned many years and involved hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine, and millions of dollars laundered through the dealership.  The court sentenced Leontaritis to 240 months (20 years) on each count to run concurrent and those sentences to run consecutive to a Southern District of Texas federal conviction for theft of public money in 2018.

“People who help launder drug money are critical to the conspiracies that allow the drug trade to operate,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.  “Law enforcement worked very hard, and stayed after this case doggedly to make sure every participant was prosecuted.”

               “Today’s lengthy prison sentence for John Leontaritis is another example of how aiding and abetting a drug trafficker can be just as risky as drug trafficking itself,” said Houston DEA Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy.  “We will investigate and prosecute anyone who supports these criminal enterprises.”

               This case is the result of an extensive joint investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Houston Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle S. Englade and Michael Anderson.

CENTER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP located at 2471 Hwy. 96 North, Center, TX will be hosting Vacation Bible School, June 5-7, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 P.M.  Featuring “The Incredibles” and the Power of Faith to Save the Day. Children will learn how to allow Jesus to work through them to turn them from ordinary to incredible from natural to supernatural through faith in God’s WORD. There will be two age groups: Kinder church age 3 through 1st grade and Children Church 2nd – 5th grade.  Everyone is welcome. 

Pastor Byron Coutee and Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church would like to invite all choirs, soloists, and praise teams to our Musician's Appreciation honoring Sis. Kristina Ceasar and Bro. Jalexius Davis on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at 6:30 pm. 
 

Aggravated Robbery 

On the 16th of May 2019 Officers with the Nacogdoches Police Department responded to 2208 South Street (Pro Tech Solutions) in reference to an Aggravated Robbery.  

Officers arrived on scene and found that around 7:13 PM on this date the owner of the business was inside his store when an unknown masked black male came inside with a handgun and demanded property.  The suspect stole an undetermined amount of currency, two firearms and two cell phones.  The suspect then left the store and was last seen crossing South Street.  The victim who was not injured then left the location to find a phone to contact police.  After being notified of the Robbery Patrol Officers searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect.

This case is currently being investigated by the Nacogdoches Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

May 21, 2019

The City Council of Joaquin will meet in regular session Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at
6:00 p.m. at The Joaquin City Hall located at 124 North Preston, Joaquin, Texas.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order, establish quorum & welcome guest.

2. Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Swearing in of Elected Council Members.

4. Presentation of Students Recognition Awards.

5. Open Forum.

6. Council approval of the previous meeting’s minutes.

7. Monthly Reports:

a. City Secretary- Administrative updates.

b. Utility Billing Manager Report -- Monthly Receipts & Adjustments Report.

c. Public Works Manager-Update – Departmental Updates

d. Water Department-Update—Ongoing Water Projects

8. Council approval on Payment of Bills.

9. Discussion on City Code, Ordinance Violation, & Enforcement. 

10. Discussion on the shut-off date for natural gas services to the City Of Joaquin. 

11. Discussion & Council Action on providing online bill pay for utility customers. 

12. Discussion & Council Action on imposing a tax per barrel of saltwater injected inside City Limits. 

13. Discussion & Council Action on Park Improvements.

14. Discussion & Council Action on financing proposal for bids for an automatic water meter project.

15. Discussion & Council Action on work-based learning agreement with Workforce Solutions.

16. Discuss & Council Action to award a contract for administration grant writer TxCDBG F.A.S.T.  grant 2019-2020.

17. Discussion & Council Action on approval of the proposed lease agreement for city building.

18. Discussion & Council Action on approval of Hotel/Motel tax funds --Testing & removal costs for historic restoration for 130 Steve Hughes Drive.

19. Discussion & Council Action Budget Revisions- Projected Expenses.

20. Council will hold a closed Executive Session Meeting-Personnel Matters (551.074).

a) Personnel Reviews- Staff

21. Council reconvenes & possible action on matters discussed in executive session.

22. Adjournment.

IF during the course of the meeting, any discussion of items on the Agenda should be held in executive or closed session, the Council will convene in executive or closed session, in accordance With the Texas Open Meetings Act, Governmental Code Section 551 and Texas Revised Civil Statutes.

Posted by Amanda Willey on  May 17, 2019, at 11:54 a.m.
 

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the documentary “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

 Directed by Alexandra Dean, “Bombshell” brings to light the story of an unusual and accomplished woman, spurned as too beautiful to be smart, but a role model to this day. 

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

SFA Summer Stage Festival

This year’s SummerStage Festival at Stephen F. Austin State University runs June 27 through July 12 and features the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and the beloved children’s story “The Reluctant Dragon.” The festival is sponsored in part by Tipton-Ford-Lincoln. 

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. July 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11, and at 2 p.m. July 9 and 12. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students/youth. This show has some adult themes and is recommended for mature audiences. “The Reluctant Dragon” will be presented at 10 a.m. June 27 and 28 and July 5, 8, 10 and 11; at 2 p.m. June 27; and at 6:30 p.m. July 12. General admission tickets are $8. Pay-what-you-can performances for both shows are on July 8.

For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.theatre.sfasu.edu.

SFA presents ‘Given'

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the documentary “Given” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 12, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Told through the visceral experience of a 6-year-old, “Given” follows legendary surfers Aamion and Daize Goodwin from their island home of Kauai through 15 different countries in the quest for surf and to fulfill a calling handed down through generations.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

SFA presents ‘The Velveteen Rabbit'

The Children's Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of "The Velveteen Rabbit" on Friday, Oct. 18, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. 

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more. 

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

SFA presents ‘A Christmas Carol’
The Children's Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday, Dec. 12, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more. 

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

SFA presents ‘We the People’
The Children's Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of "We the People" on Friday, Jan. 31, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. 

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

SFA presents ‘Super Scientific Circus’
The Children's Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of Super Scientific Circus on Friday, Feb. 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. 

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

SFA presents ‘Cinderella'
The Children's Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of “Cinderella” on Tuesday, April 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

Joaquin ISD Junior, Connor Bragg won Gold in the Long Jump making him the back to back 2A State Champ. He jumped a PR of 22’9.75” on his final attempt to seal the deal.

The Shelbyville Dragons baseball team defeated the Cushing Bearkats 15 to 1 in the round. Game 2 will be held this afternoon 5-17-19 at 5 p.m. in Rusk and Game 3 will follow if necessary.

The Ticket prices are $5 for adult and $2 for students.

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 22th day of May, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

2. Public comments on Agenda item.

3. Take action to recognize the FY 2018 Fund Cash Balances for Precinct 4 and adjust the FY2019 Budgeted Fund Carryover and adjust the FY 2019 Expense Budget.

4. Ken Leonard to discuss  upcoming Censes for the year of 2020.

5. Presentation of the Shelby County Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Financial Audit Report by Mr. Justin Matthews, CPA (Axley & Rode, LLP)

PUBLIC HEARING

6. Consider adopting and or/ approving the creation of a tax abatement zone, adopting tax abatement guideline, and approving a tax abatement agreement between Shelby County, Texas and Tyson Foods and having a public Hearing on the above.  

7. Adjourn.

The stage in Logansport is flooded at this time they will still have the River City Festival this weekend but they will have the performers set up on stages in the parking lot near the police department in Logansport.

At around 9:30 p.m. on May 15, 2019, a two-vehicle wreck occurred in Center, Texas. A 2008 GMC truck was struck by a Dodge Avenger at the intersection of HWY 7 and San Augustine Street. 

The Center Police Department had multiple units who responded, and the Texas DPS also responded to the scene of the accident.

Allegiance Mobile Health responded to the scene and took the driver of the Dodge Avenger to a local medical facility, where they were treated. No fatalities were reported to have occurred on the scene. 

Hopkins wrecker service towed the GMC truck and East Texas towing hauled off the Dodge Avenger.

ANGELINA COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigated a two-vehicle fatality crash on the evening of May 15, 2019, on FM 1669, about five miles north of Huntington.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 6:20 p.m., a 1995 Peterbilt truck tractor semi-trailer, transporting oil field equipment, was traveling north when a piece of unsecured equipment swung over into the southbound lane, striking a 2019 Chevrolet pickup.

The driver of the Peterbilt is identified as Jonathon Keller, 41, from Keller, TX. Keller was not injured during the crash.

The driver of the Chevrolet is identified as Jeremy Johnson, 38, from Mineral Wells. Johnson was pronounced deceased at the scene by an Angelina County Justice of the Peace.

This crash remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time.

The Dragons are Area Champions!  They will play Cushing in the Regional Quarterfinals. The series is set for:

Game 1: Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, May 17  at 5 p.m. 
Game 3: 30 minutes after game 2 if needed

All games are at Rusk High School.
We will be in the 1st base dugout.

Ticket prices are $5 adults, $2 students.

District passes, Coaching cards, and Senior Citizens passes will be accepted
Thank you all for the support and go Dragons!

The Shelby County Commissioners' Court met on the morning of May 15, 2019, at the active Shelby County Courthouse.

The court approved the payment of weekly expenses and the current payroll. Merle Howard with the William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic addressed the court to requested funds to help restore Historic Bell. Her request was approved by the court. A closed executive session was held. They reopened the special meeting to the public and tabled the items in the executive meeting. No public comments were given on the agenda items.

A public hearing was scheduled to be held on adopting tax abatement guidelines for Shelby County, designating a reinvestment zone by Shelby County and approving a tax abatement agreement between Tyson Foods and Shelby County at 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd day of May, 2019, on the third floor of the Shelby County Courthouse located at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935.

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m. the Center Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence located at 2067 FM 2468 and belonging to a Mr. Bobby Adams. The Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom would like to inform the public that this is a different Bobby Adams than the one who works for the Center Fire Department.

The Center Fire Department arrived on the scene to find a boat and two RV's on fire. One of the RV's sustained major damage, while the other received minor damage. According to the Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom, the apparent cause of the fire stemmed from an individual that was working on the boat and during the process of fueling it, an accident occurred that ignited the boat and the flames then spread to the RV's catching them on fire as well.

 
The Center Fire Department responded quickly and had both of the RV's put out within about 20 minutes of arriving on the scene. There was an individual who received minor burns but no major injuries or fatalities occurred due to the blaze.

On May 6, the senior members of the Timpson High School Band and their directors set out on an adventure to New York City.  They were able to see many sights in the city, such as The World Trade Center, Times Square, The Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, China Town, Little Italy, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Trump Tower, and much more!  The group stayed in an apartment in Manhattan and traveled throughout the city using the subway.  

On Wednesday morning, May 8, things took an unexpected turn.  Timpson Band Director, Rhonda Daniel, said, “This is a story none of us will soon forget.  We went to Times Square at 6am to visit Good Morning America.  We didn’t have tickets to be in the studio audience, we were just hoping for 15 seconds of air time if one of the anchors came outside to the street.  We wanted to wave to our parents so they could see us having a good time in the Big Apple!  We could see Robin Roberts inside getting ready to start the show.  She noticed us, smiled, and even waved a few times, which we thought was very neat!  After filming the first segment of the show, Robin Roberts came outside to the street to meet us.  She posed for a few pictures with us, and was thrilled to learn that we were directors and members of a high school band.  She told us about how she played the tenor saxophone in high school and described her band uniform to us, which she said she wore with pride.  She said she had an immense amount of respect for band students and educators.  Robin asked me which song was our favorite to play.  Knowing that Katy Perry was a guest on the show, my obvious answer was, “‘Firework’ by Katy Perry.” 

Robin then told us she was going to get us inside the set of GMA.  We were escorted by security to a spot behind the cameras to watch Robin, Michael Strahan, and George Stephanopoulos continue filming.  At a commercial break, she introduced us to Michael Strahan.  Michael is from Houston, so we talked with him about Texas and football and took a few pictures with him.  Next, we were escorted upstairs where a spot was made for us near the studio audience to watch the remainder of the show.  Our students are huge fans of singer and American Idol judge Katy Perry, so this was just thrilling for our whole group.  When Katy’s interview was over, Robin Roberts brought her over to us.  Katy immediately locked eyes with one of our seniors, Cassidy Clifton.  She could see Cassidy’s excitement, so, in true Katy Perry fashion, she sat right down in Cassidy’s lap and consoled her as she cried!  Katy pretended to cry some and even kissed Cassidy on the cheek!  This all happened during a commercial break, but it did end up on GMA’s Instagram and Facebook stories.  When Katy left the set, Robin Roberts posed for a few more pictures with us and, again, told me how much she respected what educators do for their students.  The whole experience can be summed up in one word… surreal.” 

For these seniors, the quest for 15 seconds of fame turned into an experience they will carry with them forever.  New York City was unforgettable and Good Morning America was the “icing on the cake.”  The common tie between the Timpson Band seniors and Robin Roberts was, band.  Throughout the rest of their lives they will continue to come in contact with “band people” and feel an instant connection to them…. the rehearsals, the performances, the uniforms, the trips, the friends, the memories… we’ve all had  the same experiences and can relate to each other in a way that is indescribable.  The whole trip to New York City was made possible because of these seniors’ hard work and long-time commitment to this organization.  Congrats to the 2019 Timpson High School Band Seniors! 

Back Row (L to R): Taylor Roth, Dallas Dennis, Rebekah Parks, Devin Kimzey, Ja’Karia Deckard. Front Row (L to R): Cassidy Clifton, Allysha Stephens, Samaria Richard

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held on adopting tax abatement guidelines for Shelby County, designating a reinvestment zone by Shelby County and approving a tax abatement agreement between Tyson Foods and Shelby County at 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd day of May, 2019, on the third floor of the Shelby County Courthouse located at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas 75935.

Happy birthday to Mr. A.J. Procell he turned 95 on 5-15-19. Thank you, Sir, for your service. 

Shelbyville High School students recently participated in the TxDOT-Lufkin Project Celebration contest. Annually, Texas Department of Transportation awards mini-grants to help sponsor Project Celebration lock-in or all night events. The funds can be used for post-graduation activities that focus on alcohol and drug free fun.

Shelbyville students chose to enter the traffic awareness display portion of the contest. The display had to be completed and submitted to TxDOT and remain on display at the entrance of the school. We are happy to announce that  Shelbyville High School won 1st Place in the display contest!

The award of a $1500 check was presented by Melissa McKnight of TxDOT on May 13, 2019 to Shelbyville High School Project Celebration. Project Celebration will begin at 11 pm on May 24, 2019 in the Shelbyville Gym/Bandhall.

Pictured (not in order )are Elizabeth Arnold, Hannah Jamison, Kiersten Turner, Alexis Burns, Alexis Risinger, Mattison Clay & Melissa McKnight (TxDOT rep.)

This time on Pastor Stories we met with the Minister of the First United Methodist Church of Center, Texas Karen Jones. Jones stopped by the station and we found out why she got involved in the ministry to begin with. 

Update:

Riki D’Shain Dutton surrendered himself to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office this morning 5-14-19.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is seeking the whereabouts of Riki D’Shain Dutton, 27, of Center. Dutton is described as a 5’6” white male and weighs approximately 175 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Dutton has active warrants for Deadly Conduct (F-3) and Criminal Mischief (M-B).

The SCSO is seeking assistance of the public with locating Dutton. If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the SCSO (936) 598-5601.

If anyone is found to be hindering the apprehension, harboring or concealing, providing or aiding with any means of avoiding arrest or effecting escape, or warns Dutton of impending discovery or apprehension, will be arrested and charged in accordance to Penal Code 38.05 Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, a Felony 3 offense.

Senior, Hunter Gates won Silver in the 200m with a PR time of 21.94. He also placed 4th in the 4x100m relay along with his teammates Connor Bragg, Boogie Lane, and Gunner Nelson missing the podium only by hundredths of a second. The same team of guys placed 5th in the 4x200m relay.

Connor Bragg

Junior, Connor Bragg won Gold in the Long Jump making him the back to back 2A State Champ. He jumped a PR of 22’9.75” on his final attempt to seal the deal.

Freshman, Victoria Byrd took the Silver medal in the 100m with a 12.44. She also placed 4th in the Long Jump.

It’s been a great season of track and we are PROUD of these athletes’ hard work and dedication!

Garrison vs. Woden 

Game 1 will be Friday, May 17, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in Hudson.

Game 2 will be Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 1 p.m. in Hudson.

Game 3 will follow if necessary.

Shelbyville vs. Cushing 

Game 1 will be Thursday, May 16, 2019, at Rusk High School at 6 p.m.

Game 2 will be Friday, May 17, 2019, at Rusk High School at 5 p.m.

Game 3 will follow if necessary.

The Shelby County Garden Club recently awarded three Shelbyville Pre A.P. English students with money earned from their participation in the 2018-19 National Garden Club essay. Students wrote 600-700 word essays on the effects of bottled water on our environment. Kate Lawson was awarded first place and $200, Eli Taylor won second and $75, and Brenda Bautista won third and received $50. Their essays are currently in the running for the national award that will be announced later this year. The students would like to thank the Shelby County Garden Club for their sponsorship and support.   

On May 9, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Denning Rural Water Supply, #2030004, 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.

Denning Rural 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 and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of May 13, 2019

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas at 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp  936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691. 

The water on San Augustine Rural WSC no longer requires boiling.

On May 9, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the San Augustine Rural Public Water System, #2030007, 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.

San Augustine Rural Water 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 May 13, 2019.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office:

220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas at 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691. 

The Tenaha Police Department conducted our first annual Roses for Moms in celebration of Mothers Day! Today we tip our hats to ALL the wonderful mothers out there that sacrifice so much and show so much love for their children. Today as Officers volunteered their time, Officers gave roses to mothers we encountered on today's patrols. It was such a blessing and I wish we had more opportunities to meet more mothers. If we didn't get an opportunity to meet you today and give you a rose, we would still like to wish you a very Happy Mothers Day!

As for those mothers we so dearly miss, the Tenaha Police Department has left roses in our Department window in remembrance of mothers who are still in our hearts but no longer with us.

Best stated by the late George Jones "You know there's one person we turn to so many times in our lives. When we need help in our troubles, trials and tribulations we always turn to mamas, and she's the main one and a lot of times we take her, so much for granted."

Chief of Police 
Jeremy H. Pope

The Dragons are Area Champions!  They will play Cushing in the Regional Quarterfinals. The series is set for:

Game 1: Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m.
Game 2: Friday, May 17  at 5 p.m. 
Game 3: 30 minutes after game 2 if needed

All games are at Rusk High School.
We will be in the 1st base dugout.

Ticket prices are $5 adults, $2 students.

District passes, Coaching cards, and Senior Citizens passes will be accepted
Thank you all for the support and go Dragons!

Memorial Day is Monday, May 27th, 2019.  United States Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon.  All banks, schools, businesses and government offices that fly a flag that can be lowered are asked to please do so in honor of those Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  All other flags flying with the US Flag should also be lowered.

If you fly a flag that can’t be lowered you can still show respect for the day by tying a black cord or ribbon to the top of the flag pole.  It too should be removed at noon.

If you have no one to lower your flag at sunrise it is permissible to lower it the night before so it will be in place at sunrise.

Shelby County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Auxiliary invite the public to their annual Memorial Day Program to be held in the 1885 Historic Courthouse on the square in Center, Monday May 27, 2019.   The program will begin at 11:00 a.m.  The 223 names of Shelby County military killed in action/missing in action from the Mexican American War to today’s War on Terrorism will be read.  While the names are being read, the public is invited to help decorate the Memorial Wreath.  Scouts from troop 119 will post the colors, Quilts of Valor will be presented by the 4-H, Gold Star Families will be recognized, and musical selections will be presented by David Mathis and Leigh Porterfield.

At the end of the program all will adjourn outside to the Veterans Memorial for the playing of Taps and raising the flags to full staff.  Please make plans to join us.  Bring your family as this is an excellent opportunity to educate our youth about the sacrifices of many. 

Call Post QM Larry Hume for information or questions, 598-2976.

Center City Council Meeting and City Updates:

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office recently participated in D.A.R.E. graduations at many local schools to honor students of the program.  D.A.R.E stands for "Drug Abuse Resistance Education" and is known for its focus on the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse at an early age.  The D.A.R.E. program also helps students in making wise decisions through positive life skills.  In the past week, Sheriff Jayson Richardson, Lt. Dean Register, and Sgt. Natasha Jones were honored to spend time with elementary students from Logansport, North DeSoto, and Central schools.   Many students were recognized for their eager participation in the classroom, excellent behavior, and for writing their very own D.A.R.E. essay.  Also recognized was D.A.R.E. Student Leader of the Year, Luke Delafield, from North DeSoto Upper Elementary.  Luke was chosen for his willingness to help other students and was awarded for his outstanding leadership skills.  Following the presentation of certificates, at each event students enjoyed snacks, cake, and refreshments provided by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office.  Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to thank Principals Mary Register at Logansport, Brandon Burback at North DeSoto Upper, and Lee Hollowell at Central for allowing our deputies the privilege to teach and mentor area students throughout the years. 

The entire group at CHS (with Sheriff & Sgt. Natasha Jones)

The 2019 Take a Kid Fishing Tournament was held on May 11, 2019, at the Huxley Bay Marina and despite the damp weather, there was a good turnout. Badder's Law Firm sponsored Jay the Pirate, who entertained the children with his balloon tricks. There were free hotdogs and drinks and all of the children that entered the tournament received a free rod and reel. The casting contest was not held this year at the tournament. Congratulations also go out to the winner of the Shelbyville Lions Club boat raffle Mrs. Becky Elliot.  

Becky Elliot claiming her prize from the Shelbyville Lions Club

Captain Jay the Pirate 

2019 TAKF Tournament Results:

Age Group 3-5:

Largest Single Bream by Weight: .39 LB. , Tripp Sowell

Smallest Fish by Length: 5.4 mm, Elijah Poindexter

Heaviest String by Weight:2.08 LB. , Reese Geansonme

Age Group 6-10:

Largest Single Bream by Weight: .62 LB. , Braxton Amy 

Smallest Fish by Length:  5mm, Macie Mince 

Heaviest String by Weight: 2.63 LB. , Braxton Amy

Age Group: 11-15

Largest Single Bream by Weight: .41 LB. , Mason Cook

Smallest Fish by Length: 9 mm, James Burns

Heaviest String by Weight: 1.62 LB. , Detoris Hubbard

Overall Winner:

Overall Largest Single Bream by Weight: .62 LB. , Braxton Amy

Overall Heaviest Stringer: 2.63 LB. , Braxton Amy

(He received both of the $100 Kenneth Fulsom Memorial gift cards donated by the Shelby County Bass Anglers, totaling $200 in gift cards.)

For the photo gallery click here:

According to the Deep East Texas Electric Co-op power has been restored as of 12:30 p.m. on 5-10-19, to the residents in Shelby County who lost power during the recent storms. 

BBQ Team finishes 3rd at the High School BBQ Championship held in Burnet, TX on May 4th. The team competed at several competitions throughout the year and qualified for an opportunity to compete at the championship by winning the Tyler Regional Cook Off held earlier this year. 

The team members are Trevor Lampley, Jeremy Patton, Jonisha Thompson, Lupe Sandoval, and Hunter Collins. The team coaches are David DePriest and Josh Campbell.

Notice is hereby given the Regular Called meeting of the governing body of the City of Tenaha will be held on Monday May 13@ 5:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Meeting Room located at 238 N. George Bowers Drive in Tenaha, Texas.  If while the meeting, any discussion on items on the Agenda should be held in executive session, the Council will convene in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Government Code Section 551.101.   

Order of Business

1. Call to Order
2. Welcome/Prayer/Pledge
3. Roll Call and Establish a quorum.
4. Canvas the Vote (ACTION)
5. Administer the Statement of Officer Form 2201 to Newly Elected Council Members (Action)
6. Administer the Oath of Office Form 2204 to Newly Elected Council Members (ACTION)
7. Public Comments
8. Discuss and Consider Approving April 2019 Minutes. (ACTION)
9. Discuss and Consider Approving April 2019 Financials (ACTION)
10. Discuss and Consider Approving Citizen Participation Plan for the City of Tenaha. (ACTION)
11. Discuss and Consider Approving Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tenaha and the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department for the 2019 Fire, Ambulance & service Truck (FAST) (ACTION)

12. Discuss and Consider Approving Resolution Authorizing Submission of the 2019 Fire, Ambulance & Service Truck (FAST) Fund for the City of Tenaha. (ACTION).
13. Department Head Reports
14. Council Comments
15. Adjourn

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 15th day of May, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

2. Approve current payroll.

3. Public comments on Agenda item.

4. Merle Howard with the William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic to request funds to help restore Historic Bell.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

5. An Executive session will also be held for the purpose of discussing personal, hearing complaints against personnel, or to deliberate the appointed, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee. The closed session is authorized by Texas Open Meeting Act, Texas Government Code Section 551.074.

6. Reopen Special meeting.

7. Discuss and possibly make a decision on issues discussed in the Executive Session.

8. Discuss and possibly adopt guidelines and criteria for the creation of a reinvestment zone.

9. Discuss and possibly adopt a resolution to participate in tax abatement.

10. Adjourn.  

As of 10:30 AM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 2000 members without power in Shelby County. 

This outage is affecting members in the Huxley and Hurstown area. Crews are patrolling the transmission line now to find the problem and will have power restored as quickly as possible.

Due to a break in the line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the Denning Rural Public Water System  PWS  # 2030004 to notify ALL customers  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. 

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customer 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 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 Denning Rural Water System at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489
 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.

CENTER, TEXAS Captain Jay Roundfellow will be the entertainer during the 41st annual Center Broadcasting/Shelby County Bass Angler’s Take a Kid Fishing Bream Tournament, set for Saturday, May 11 at Huxley Bay Marina on Toledo Bend Reservoir.
 
Captain Jay’s appearance is being made possible by the Badder’s Law Firm.
 
Jason Coffel, has been entertaining children for decades! As Santa of the South, Jason has created an interactive Christmas Experience for the children of the Ark-La-Tex.  In 2018, he created Jay-Jay the Clown...and now...Captain Jay Roundfellow.

Children at the fishing tourney will enjoy an interactive performance with lots of laughs, stories, fun, and memories for everyone!  Captain Jay will be making pirate swords and parrots, along with many other balloon twisting treats.  Children are invited to visit with Captain Jay, hear stories of the Seven Seas, and learn to be a pirate with their very own “safe for the car ride home” pirate sword! 

Jay-Jay will begin entertaining children from 10am, until the tournament activities conclude.

Center Broadcasting Co. & Shelby County Bass Anglers preparing for 41st Annual Take a Kid Fishing Bream Tournament RAIN OR SHINE we will have the tournament

The largest children’s-only event in deep east Texas and western Louisiana will be held Saturday, May 11 when Center Broadcasting Company and the Shelby County Bass Anglers host the 41st Annual Take a Kid Fishing Bream Tournament on Toledo Bend.

For four-decades, the free event has been for kids ages 3 to 15, with every child receiving a rod & reel. In addition, trophies will be awarded in three-separate age groups for largest fish, heaviest stringer by weight and even smallest fish by length. 

Center Broadcasting Co. stations KQBB 100.5 FM, KDET 930 AM and KXXE 92.5 FM, along with a hand-full of volunteers put the original tournament together in 1978. The Shelby County Bass Anglers became co-host in recent years, adding a professional fishing atmosphere to the overall tournament, including the very important weigh-in. The bass anglers will once again be hosting a casting competition for all kids.

Tournament director Lori Alvis of Center Broadcasting, says the long-time tourney has provided a wonderful opportunity for hundreds of parents, kids and family members to spend quality time together in the outdoors.

“We’re very excited to have reached the 41st year of Take a Kid Fishing. The family time alone, seeing so many smiles, parents and children communicating year-after-year, is well worth it.” She added, “We hope you bring your child(ren) out and enjoy the day with us.”

Ms. Alvis said this year’s event could be the largest ever. Well over 500 participants took part a year ago. There’s also free hot dogs, cold drinks and grab-bags for each child.

Fishing begins at 6 a.m., anywhere on Toledo Bend, but all participants must be in the weigh-in line no later than noon on May 11 at Huxley Bay Marina.

All tournament participants must be pre-registered, according to Ms. Alvis.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Center Broadcasting studios, located at 307 San Augustine Street in Center, Huxley Bay Marina, Trail’s End Grocery & RV in Huxley, Southside Bank in San Augustine, or Hometown Tackle & Marine in Center. Forms can also be downloaded from the radio station website, cbc-radio.com.

Ms. Alvis said mailed forms must be postmarked by May 3, or can be dropped-off at the Center Broadcasting office, no later than May 6.

For more information on the Take a Kid Fishing Bream Tournament contact Center Broadcasting, Co., 936-598-3304.

The Garrison Track team is off to the Texas state track competition in Austin, Texas this weekend. Center Broadcasting Company met with Garrison track coaches Alex Cloudy and Nick Guerra. Some other area schools that will be headed to the state meet include Joaquin, San Augustine, and Alto.

The event is scheduled to begin this Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas in Austin and continue on Saturday. For more information on the meet, you can visit: https://www.uiltexas.org/track-field/state

Schedule: (Click to Enlarge)

The Deep East Texas Electric Coop is working hard to restore power. 

As of 12:30 PM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting less than 5 outages.

They appreciate your patience and we commend DETEC crews for working diligently to restore power.

As of 8:30 AM, Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting approximately 600 members without power after overnight storms

Nacogdoches Co: 200 Members - Hwy 7 W area

Sabine Co: 180 Members - Fairmont area

San Augustine Co: 150 Members - Hwy 21 W

Shelby Co: 30 Members - Tenaha area

Jasper Co: 30 Members - Horton Hill area

Crews are now working to repair outages as quickly and as safely as possible.

Above all, DETEC encourages everyone to keep safety a priority. Should you encounter a downed line, consider it live and dangerous. 

Nacogdoches County Combined Area Law Enforcement will be hosting the Fallen Peace Officer’s Memorial Service at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center on Thursday May 09, 2019 at 10:00 am.

We are honoring our fallen peace officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our citizens of Nacogdoches County. Please join us while we honor these officers and their families.

Refreshments will be served from 9:30 to 10:00 am. United States Assistant Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Brit Featherston will be the guest speaker. Nacogdoches County has had 11 officers killed in the line of duty since 1871.

There will be several family members and friends of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty at the ceremony. We encourage the public to attend and show support to these families.

A tragic accident has taken the life of an Angelina County man last night on highway 59 south ( in the 5400 block). The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim as Bernard Charles Kifer III, 32 years of age from Zavalla, Texas.

Nacogdoches County Combined dispatch received several calls on 5-8-19 shortly before 10:00 pm that there was a male subject that was darting in and out of the roadway on Highway 59 south. Several callers advise that they had nearly run over the man. Patrol units were dispatched to the scene, however before they arrived the victim was struck by two different vehicles.

Deputies arrived on the scene just moments after and started conducting CPR on the victim. The victim was transported to the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 David Perkins.  An investigation is being conducted by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office. 

As of 8 p.m. on 5-8-19, the Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is reporting less than 200 members without power. Approximately 150 of these members are in the Carthage area. The remaining 50 are scattered throughout the system.

Crews will continue to work until power is restored to all.

Above all, DETEC encourages everyone to keep safety a priority. Should you encounter a downed line, consider it live and dangerous.

Each year the World War II Allies remember May 8th, 1945, the date when they accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.  Adolf Hitler committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin so the surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, President of Germany Karl Donitz.

In the United Kingdom, more than one million people celebrated in the streets and in the United States President Harry Truman who turned 61 that day dedicated the victory to the memory of his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt.  President Roosevelt had died of a cerebral hemorrhage less than a month earlier.

On May 8, 2019, at 10 a.m. the local Shelby County Veterans of Foreign War Post 8904 and the Women's Auxillary held a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the 74th Anniversary of VE Day. That is Victory in Europe Day. The event was attended by a few individuals who paid respect for our servicemen that fought for our freedom.

Mr. Larry Hume VFW Post Quartermaster lead the event. The wreath was laid, and Mr. Gene Hutto VFW Post Commander played taps on the bugle. The event ended and as has become custom a group photo was taken for local news and VFW publication. 

Click here for the photo gallery:

A Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court was held on the 8th day of May 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas. The court took the following actions:

1. They approved the minutes of the April 3, 2019, Special meeting, April 10, 2019, Regular meeting, April 24, 2019, Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.

2. They approved and paid weekly expenses.

3. They approved the Officers Report.

4. No public comments.

5. Stacy O’Rear from The Shelby County Cancer Fund to address Commissioners Court about using the Historical Courthouse grounds for Weekend Warriors.

6. Lastly, they adjourned.

Shelbyville High School students competed at the Academic UIL State Meet last week.  Sophomore, Molly Windham is the AA Academic UIL Ready Writing State Champion. 

Senior, Jasmine Osby placed second in AA Academic UIL Computer Applications.

Left to Right: Jasmine Osby, Molly Windham 

Congratulations!

We are Dragon Proud! 

Congratulations to the winners of the Battle of the Bucket Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department event.

Truly words can not describe just how awesome this event is. The Joaquin Fire Department played a game of tug of war with a bucket and fire water hoses.

The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make our 2019 Spring Fundraiser a success. The support of our community is what has kept our department growing for 47 years.

This growth would not be possible without the generosity of local businesses like Dean’s Hardware, Brookshire Brothers, The Ram House Cafe, Subway, Joaquin Quick Stop, Whataburger, and many, many others. We would especially like to thank the members of the community who came out to purchase BBQ plates, walk for cakes, and watch the Battle of the Bucket.

The annual Cake Walk is successful because of the wonderful cakes donated by local bakers. We would also like to congratulate the winners of the Battle of the Bucket.

1st Place went to the team of Firefighter Sunshine Carroll and Training Officer Stephen Ewing. Firefighters Nat Rodgers and David Pierce took 2nd Place, and Captains Rusty Wilson and Lance Cummings claimed 3rd Place.

We would also like to thank Lone Star Emergency Group, Ferrarra Fire Apparatus, and Municipal Emergency Services for providing the prizes for the event. 

Video Coverage by Steven Ewing:

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7, 2019-STAAR:Algebra I EOC

May 8, 2019-STAAR: US History EOC

May 9, 2019-BETA Induction & Awards 6 pm; STAAR: Biology EOC; Progress Reports

May 11, 2019-MS Band Field Trip to 6 Flags-Arlington

May 12, 2019-Mother's Day

May 13, 2019-STAAR: Grades 3,4,6,7 Math; Grades 5 & 8 Re-Test; Board Meeting

May 14, 2019-STAAR: Grades 3,4,6,7 Reading; Grades 5 & 8 Re-Test; Eng III EOC

May 15, 2019-STAAR: Grades 5 & 8 Science; Algebra II EOC

May 16, 2019-STAAR: Grade 8 Social Studies

May 17, 2019-Sound Post Music Festival; 7 & 8 Grade Boys to SFA; Senior Trip

May 18/19, 2019-HS Band Field Trip & Performance-6 Flags Arlington

May 20, 2019-6 Grade Sound Post in Canton

May 21, 2019-HS Awards Banquet 6:00 pm

May 23, 2019-Tiger Avengers-Tenaha's Greatest Heroes  (Tiger Fest) 5,6,&MS Band will perform; Tiger Café' will be open

May 27, 2019-Memorial Day Holiday; State Solo Ensemble

May 28, 2019-Elementary Awards 9 am

May 29, 2019-MS Awards 9 am

May 30, 2019-Early Release; End of Grading Period; Graduation 7 pm

May 31, 2019-In-service/Student Holiday

The Tenaha High School BBQ team traveled to Burnet, TX on May 4th for the 2019 Texas High School BBQ Championship. The team competed at several competitions throughout the year and qualified for an opportunity to compete at the championship by winning the Tyler Regional Cook Off held earlier this year.

The team, pictured above are from left to right; Trevor Lampley, Jeremy Patton, Jonisha Thompson, Lupe Sandoval, and Hunter Collins. They are under the direction of David DePriest and Josh Campbell. The Team took 19th in beans, 9th in chicken, 1st in ribs, and 5th in brisket finishing 3rd overall in the championship.

2019 City Council Election (3 seats)

Incumbent Kyle Allen – 56 total votes

Willie Woods – 29 total votes

Incumbent Charleston Johnson – 73 total votes

Ryan McDonald – 42 total votes

Incumbent Tiffany Collins – 86 total votes

Come by Shelby County Outreach Ministries, Inc. to get your Mother’s Day Raffle Tickets now before it’s too late! Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th and the drawing for our HUGE Gift Basket will be this Friday, May 10th.

The Gift Basket is valued at OVER $800 and would make the perfect gift for your mom, or you could buy tickets for yourself to make sure you have the best Mother’s Day! Tickets are $10 each or 6 tickets for $50.

You can purchase your tickets at the Shelby County Outreach Ministries, In. offices. For more information, give us a call at 598-4990. 

The results of the Shelbyville ISD school board election are as follows:

Joez Jones                   105
Chris Koltonski             123
Shawn Whiteside           92
Joey Lawson                113
Lori Collins Alvis           151

The three people elected were Chris Koltonski, Joey Lawson, and Lori Alvis.

The City of Joaquin General Election was held this past weekend below are the results:

Bill Baker Early Voting 17, Election 38, Total 55

Patricia Gray Early Voting 11, Election 18, Total 29

Congratulations go out to Bill Baker the new Mayor of Joaquin.

Early on the morning of  5-7-19 at around 7 a.m. there was a wreck that occurred on HWY 7 and FM 711 that involved a car and an 18 wheeler. Hughes Wrecker Service responded along with the Center Fire Department, and a local ambulance service.

More to follow as it is officially released.

Lee Gibbs - Early Voting: 5; Election Day: 49; Total: 54

Durand Steadman - Early Voting: 7; Election Day: 27; Total: 34

Craig Richard Gray - Early Voting: 5; Election Day: 27; Total: 32

Cliff Lloyd - Early Voting: 5; Election Day: 11; Total: 16

NACOGDOCHES,TX (May 6, 2019)  On Monday morning Officers with the Nacogdoches Police Department responded to the Dollar General located in the 4300 block of  S.E. Stallings Dr after receiving a call from an employee stating a syringe with an unknown substance was found stuck into a food product on the previous day. 

Employees advised that after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday May 5th several unidentified subjects came into the store and began acting suspiciously.  The employee advised that after the subjects left the store products were discovered damaged and she found a syringe with an unknown substance had been stuck into a pack of "Cup of Noodles".

Employees advised the items believed to have been tampered with were immediately removed from the shelves.  On Monday afternoon further items were located that also appeared to have been tampered with.  Those items were also immediately removed from the shelves.  Police are asking that anyone that purchased food items during this time from this location be cautious and thoroughly inspect before consuming them.   

The Nacogdoches Police Department are actively investigating the incident and ask that anyone with information about this crime to call 936-559-2607.  

The City Council of Joaquin will meet in special session Thursday May 9, 2019 at
5:30 p.m. at The Joaquin City Hall located at 124 North Preston, Joaquin, Texas.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Call to order, establish quorum & welcome guest.
2. Approval of Canvass of the vote of the May 4, 2019 Municipal Election.
3. Discussion & Council action of Approval of Resolution #05092019  -regarding finance contract for the purpose of procuring water meters and related equipment.
4. Adjournment.

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 8th day of May, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve the minutes of the April 3, 2019 Special meeting, April 10, 2019 Regular meeting, April 24, 2019 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.

2. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

3. Approve Officers Report.

4. Public Comments on Agenda item.

5. Stacy O’Rear from The Shelby County Cancer Fund to address Commissioners Court about using the Historical Courthouse grounds for Weekend Warriors.

6.  Adjourn.

Shelbyville School Board Results:

Lori Alvis, Chris Koltonski, Joey Lawson

Timpson School Board Results:

Cody Beckham, Justin Timmons

Timpson City Council Results:

Charleston Johnson, Kyle Allen, Tiffany Collins 

Joaquin School Board Election Results:

Jeff Cater, Jeff Hamilton

Joaquin Election Results:

Bill Baker won the race for Mayor of Joaquin. 

No school election for Tenaha ISD:

City of Tenaha City Council:

Durand Steadman, Craig Richard Grey, Lee Gibbs

The Nacogdoches Police Department is currently investigating a serious auto/pedestrian hit and run accident that occurred in the early morning hours on Saturday. 

Police were called to the 3200 block of South Street at 2:47 am Saturday morning in reference to a possible accident and a person laying in the roadway. 

From the investigation it was determined that Brandon Duckett, 23, of Nacogdoches, was crossing South Street on foot when he was initially struck by a southbound vehicle, then immediately struck by a second southbound vehicle. The first vehicle stopped and called 911 while the second vehicle fled the scene. No information is known about the second vehicle, other than it was southbound and might have front end damage. 

Duckett is currently at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital in critical condition. 

The accident is still under investigation. Any person who might have been a witness, or knows anything about the accident is asked to contact the Nacogdoches Police Traffic Division at 936-559-2639. 

LUFKIN – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers are investigating on the afternoon of 5-4-19 a motor vehicle crash involving a Lufkin Police Officer that occurred on Business US 59.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at approximately 12:40 p.m., a Lufkin Police Officer was out of his marked patrol unit (with emergency lights activated) investigating a crash in the parking lot of a local business when a northbound 2006 Toyota SUV, for unknown reasons, drove off the roadway to the left and struck the rear of the police vehicle. The collision caused the police vehicle to strike the officer.

The officer is identified as 28-year-old Seth Thompson from Lufkin. Officer Thompson was transported to UT Tyler by medical helicopter for treatment.

The driver of the Toyota is identified as 40-year-old Nakishia Samuels from Lufkin. Samuels was transported to CHI St. Luke’s Hospital in Lufkin for treatment.

On Thursday, May 2, 2019, there was a gathering on the downtown Center square at 12 noon in honor of the national day of prayer. Center Broadcasting Company attended, below is a link to the photo gallery.  

Click here for the photo gallery:

The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department is having a fundraiser today 5-4-19. They have brisket for sale. There will be a cake walk at 4 p.m. and following the cake walk, there will be a bucket race.

Sardis fish fry canceled due to weather.

Congratulations go out to the Garrison AG department's Entomology team that won the state title in a recent competition. Entomology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects. Center Broadcasting Company traveled to Garrison ISD and met with their teacher Danni Lungsford along with one of the students Talon Wright.

Garrison ISD Entomology Team

Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 8th day of May, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:

1. Approve the minutes of the April 3, 2019 Special meeting, April 10, 2019 Regular meeting, April 24, 2019 Special meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court.

2. Approve and pay weekly expenses.

3. Approve Officers Report.

4. Public Comments on Agenda item.

5. Stacy O’Rear from The Shelby County Cancer Fund to address Commissioners Court about using the Historical Courthouse grounds for Weekend Warriors.

6.  Adjourn.

The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.

On April 25, 2019, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, 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.

N.E.W. 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 2, 2019.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office:
220 West Columbia Street  

San Augustine, Texas.

936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp  936-201-5001.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

On May 1, 2019, Roger Eugene Wilburn, 50, of Joaquin was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 Roy Cheatwood’s office for Possession of a Controlled Substance.

On this same date, a warrant was served on Wilburn for Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F-2). This arrest came as a result of an ongoing narcotics investigation conducted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Over the past several months, the SCSO and Constable Cheatwood have fielded several complaints stemming from the residence of Wilburn located at 305 Childress Street in Joaquin. Multiple arrests have been made recently at this residence and off of Childress St. ranging from drug related arrests, public intoxication and outstanding warrants.

Wilburn is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on charges including POCS (F-4) $50,000 Pre-Set Bond; Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (F-2) $20,000 Bond; Criminal Non-Support $10,000 Cash Bond; and Burglary of a Building (Panola County Charge).

Excelsior ISD is closed today due to no power.

At around 7:38 a.m. on May 2, 2019, there was a three-vehicle wreck that occurred at the intersection of Tenaha Street and Foster Street in Center, Texas. A blue Ford Ranger and a red Ford Focus collided sending the blue Ranger into a silver Nissan. The Ranger and Focus both sustained heavy damage, with the Nissan only receiving minor damage.

The Center Fire Department used the jaws of life to cut a man out of the Focus. There were no fatalities, one person was hospitalized and taken by Allegiance Mobile Health to the Nacogdoches Medical Center in Center.

Center PD, Center Fire Dept., Hopkins Wrecker service

The Center Police Department, Center Fire Department, Texas DPS, Allegiance Mobile Health, all responded to the scene of the crash. Hopkins Wrecker service responded to the scene of the crash and towed the Focus. Sand Hill Wrecker service hauled off the Ranger. The scene was cleared by approximately 8:17 a.m.

Hopkins Wrecker service 

Major Wreck on Tenha Street and Foster Street by Mathews real estate.

Center Fire Department responding.

The Center Fire Department are responding to a fallen tree on the road on 138 about 5 miles out.

Unfortunately, the Agriculture Education Day event scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Shelby County Expo Center has been canceled due to weather concerns. The event will be back in 2020. We hope to see you all then.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and thank everyone for their continued support.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 936-598-7744.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Shelby County Minority Representative to serve on the Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG). Each of the 12 counties in the DETCOG region has a Minority Board Member. The position for Shelby County is currently vacant.

In order to serve, a person must be a member of a racial or ethnic minority group, must be age 18 or older and must have been a resident of Shelby County for at least six consecutive months. The person must also be willing and able to attend monthly out-of-town meetings.

This is a volunteer position with no pay and no expenses paid. Interested persons must complete and submit the official Nomination Form to DETCOG no later than May 15, 2019 The Nomination Form is available from the Shelby County Judge's Office.   If more than one qualified person successfully completes the nomination process, an election will be scheduled and announced. Residents of Shelby County age 18 or older who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group may participate in the election.           

Please note that the risk for severe weather has increased to an enhanced risk for East Texas.  With the threat of severe weather and flash flooding later today, later tonight, and tomorrow into Friday morning. More rain next week.

Ragtown Recreation Area on the Sabine National Forest is temporarily closed due to tornado damage sustained from last Thursday’s storm.

According to Angelina and Sabine District Ranger Kimpton Cooper, the recreation area sustained substantial damage to the buildings and other infrastructure.  It will remain closed to public access until proper assessments and repairs can be completed and the facility is deemed safe to reopen.

The Shelby County Commissioners' Court met on May 1, 2019, at the active Shelby County Courthouse and took the following actions:

1. They approved and paid weekly expenses.

2. They approved the current payroll.

3. No public comments on agenda items.

4. Constable Pct. 4 Jake Metcalf discussed purchasing a new dash camera for his county vehicle it was approved.

Constable Pct. 4 Jake Metcalf

5. They discussed nominating a Shelby County DETCOG minority board member. The position is unpaid and if anyone wants to apply you need to stop by the active Shelby County Courthouse.

6. They appointed Allison Harbison and Tom Bellmyer to represent Shelby County on the DETCOG Board of Directors.

7. They adopted a proclamation declaring May as elder abuse prevention awareness month.

8. Lastly, they adjourned.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson would like to inform the public that the suspect, Treavor M. Williams, was located and apprehended at the Royal Inn Hotel on North Market Street in Shreveport, LA at 1:15 p.m. on 4-30-19.  The suspect is currently being held at the Caddo Correctional Center and will be transported to the DeSoto Detention Center at a later time.  The arrest was made in a joint effort between the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tri-Parish Task Force, U.S. Marshals, F.B.I, and Shreveport Police Department.  This is still an ongoing investigation and further details may be provided at a later time.