The Fraud Team at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) asked us to share these resources with our county residents. They developed an online toolkit to help protect residents from scam artists after a storm or other natural disaster. It’s important to get information to residents with storm damage quickly, as they’ll want to start making repairs and rebuilding as soon as possible. Good information helps consumers make good decisions. This toolkit lists suggested actions local officials can take to deter scams—such as requiring permitting for out-of-town solicitors, and proof of insurance for contractors. The toolkit also has printable flyers you can use in English and Spanish, sample social media posts, and links to additional resources. Please view the online toolkit.

Appendix C3: Boil Water Notice Rescinded 04/28/2023 ON 04/27/2023, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Shelbyville public water system, 2100014 to issue a Boil Water Notice to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 04/28/2023. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Alison Rhone 936-332-4439

If you are a resident in Sabine County Texas Texas Homeowner Assistance provides grants up to $65,000 to qualified Texas homeowners who are behind on their mortgage, property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, homeowner or condo association fees home-related expenses, and utility bills due to COVID-19 after January 21, 2020. To assist in applying and completing the online Homeowner Assistance application for the above services, the Tracy Andrus Foundation Intake Coordinators will be present at the J.R. Huffman Public Library 375 Sabine St, Hemphill, TX on May 9, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. For further information you may contact Sylvia Frank at the Tracy Andrus Foundation at 903-578-7447 or 903 471-8674.

Boil Water Notice for Community Public Water Systems

4/27/2023

Due to a loss of pressure the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Shelbyville Water system, ID# 2100014 to notify customers that were without water, or low pressure on 4/26/2023 (anyone without water) 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 Allison Rhone 936-332-4439

Inviting friends & family to join us for our annual Old Sardis Cemetery Homecoming in San Augustine Co. on May 7th. Bring a covered dish & join us for lunch, usually about 11:30 or 12:00. Thank you

Mount Calvary Full Gospel Church 5th Sunday Night Singing April 30 Starts at 6:pm Musicians 5:30pm Finger foods after Located 5527 FM 417 East Shelbyville, Tx 75935 For Info Call 936-590-1040

NEW MEMBER RIBBON CUTTING MIMI’S PLANT NURSERY

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and Staff invite the public to join them at a New Member Ribbon Cutting for Mimi’s Plant Nursery on Thursday, May 4th at 10:00 am. Mimi’s Plant Nursery is located at 9334 Highway 7 E in Joaquin. Owner, Melissa Evans has a great selection of potted plants, hanging baskets, roses, bedding plants, annuals, perennials and cute garden decorations. Melissa specializes in customized pots with your choice of plants in the pots. She has a beautiful selection of everything and great prices. Mimi’s Plant Nursery is open Thursday – Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. This is a great time to shop at Mimi’s Plant Nursery and get your yard, summer entertaining ready. Shop for mom at Mimi’s Plant Nursery – Mother’s Day is May 14 th . Join the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors in welcoming Mimi’s Plant Nursery to our Chamber community. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682 or info@shelbycountychamber.com.

Strong Cemetery has cancelled their annual homecoming this year. Donations can be mailed to: Strong Cemetery P.O Box 1383 Center, Texas 75935

The Sabine County Beekeepers will meet for our monthly meeting on Monday April 1st. at 6:30PM. We meet every 1st Monday of the month at 6:30PM at the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce, on the square, downtown Hemphill. We welcome the public to come out and join us. We have no dues, or officers. This is for anyone interested in becoming a new beekeeper or an already experienced beekeeper. For more info, call James at (409)625-4787.

Need a Car Wash? Joe’s Car Spa in Center will be donating $5 per car to Shelbyville High School Project Graduation for every car that goes through their automatic car wash on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Students, Parents, Teachers, Grandparents, Friends….. Get your car washed at Joe’s Car Spa on Saturday! Big Thanks to Joe’s Car Spa!

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Francisco Ruiz, 21 year-old Hispanic male, of Center. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Ruiz has been reported as missing by his family. Ruiz was last seen April 17, 2023 at approximately 6 a.m. in Center. He was driving a 2004 maroon/silver 4-door Ford F-150. There is a Sundown Audio sticker in the bottom right corner of the back glass. The truck also has a large scratch on the passenger side doors. Ruiz has family in El Dorado Ark, and may possibly have traveled through Logansport heading to Arkansas. If you have any information of Ruiz, know the whereabouts of his location, or have talked to him since 6 a.m. on April 17, please contact Investigator Aaron Jones at 936.572.7559 or the SCSO at 936.598.5601

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04/14/2023

ON 04/11/2023 the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 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 04/14/2023. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.

Jackson Cemetery Homecoming will be Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 10:30 am. Those unable to attend may mail their contributions for upkeep of the cemetery to: Jackson Cemetery Committee P.O. Box 15 Joaquin, TX 75954

On Monday, April 10, 2023 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on County Road 4297 in Center in regards to an accident. Once on scene, it was determined that a two-year-old child had been run over by a vehicle. No foul play is suspected in this case. This has been ruled an accidental death. Sheriff Kevin W. Windham and the staff at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office extend our condolences to the family and driver of the vehicle who suffered this great loss. Each of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

ETEX COMMUNICATIONS TO HOLD RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors will join Etex for a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Friday, April 21 st at 11:00am. Etex, a telecommunications company, established in 1952 by a group of farmers in Upshur County, now serves parts of 13 counties providing connectivity to thousands of East Texans, hundreds of cell towers, school districts and countless counties and cities.

A Partnership was formed between the Center Economic Development Corp and Etex in 2021. A multi year project to build a new state-of-the art broadband network is underway which will benefit those living and working inside Center city limits, It is a step forward in bridging the digital divide bringing reliable broadband services to rural Texas.

The Ribbon Cutting is for “command central” where the technology will be housed. The plan is to have the new system successfully running in early 2024. It is exciting to have a provider that was founded in small town, rural East Texas, that listens to our needs and will work with our community.

The Etex facility and Ribbon Cutting is located at 301 Nacogdoches Street, in the old Police Station, across from the Extension Offices. For more information please contact the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 598-3682.

Leon Carter and Amber Lee named 2023 Panola College Alumni of the Year The Panola College Alumni Association is proud to announce Leon Carter as its Alumnus of the Year and Amber Lee as its Young Alumna of the Year. This year is the first time the Association has selected two recipients, with both Carter and Lee scheduled to speak at the May 4 commencement ceremonies. Leon Carter is the principal attorney at the law firm Carter Arnett PLLC in Dallas. He focuses his practice on a range of legal matters, including anti-SLAPP litigation, antitrust litigation, business litigation, complex commercial law, construction law, copyright and trademark law, governmental liability, serious personal injury and wrongful death, patent law, and first amendment and media litigation. Carter attended Panola College in 1977 before transferring to East Texas Baptist University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in history and pre-law. He studied law at Texas Southern University and obtained his Juris Doctor in 1986. He is licensed to practice in Texas and before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. Carter was a Dallas County assistant district attorney and an assistant attorney general for the Texas state after law school. “I vividly remember the first history class I took with Professor Bill O’Neal. He was the first person who made history alive and real to me,” recalled Carter. “The enjoyment that I got from that first history class with him made learning fun which increased my desire to learn even more, which led me to further my education by attending law school.” Actively associated with the legal community, Carter is a fellow at the American College of Trial Lawyers and is on its State Committee. He is a fellow at the Litigation Counsel of America, the International Society of Barristers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He functions as an associate at the American Board of Trial Advocates and serves on its Executive Committee. He was also recognized as the Dallas Bar Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year. Additionally, Carter has memberships in the Honorable T. John Ward American Inn of Court, Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn American Inn of Court, State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Bar Foundation, Collin County Bar Association, Harrison County Bar Association, and is a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. His other accolades and recognition include being ranked in litigation by Chambers USA and being named to the list of The Best Lawyers in America. He has received an AV* Preeminent peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and is listed on the Top 500 Lawyers in the United States by Lawdragon. “Across so many years, Leon has left his mark on the legal profession,” said Dr. Phil, the television personality and author. “He has left his mark in the courtroom, he has left his mark in the firm, he has left his mark on the community. He is someone that makes every lawyer joke obsolete because he is just the kind of person you want in your life and representing your profession.” Amber Lee grew up in Carthage and first attended Panola College from 2006 to 2009. She later returned in 2018 to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing and graduated in 2020. Currently, she is a staff registered nurse at UT Health Carthage. “My favorite memory from attending Panola College was the staff,” said Lee. “I always felt comfortable to go to my instructors for anything I needed, even if it was just a pat on the back, a boost to my self-confidence, to pick my brain on certain study topics, or to talk me through a mini meltdown. Panola has staff who care, and I will always be so appreciative for their help along the way.” Lee loves the challenges that each day working as a registered nurse brings, and she strives to give each of her patients the best care possible while meeting their needs. “I strive to go the extra mile because you never know what that extra gesture will mean to someone or how it might affect their life,” added Lee. Lee and her husband, Jason, together have six children. She credits them, along with her husband and grandparents, as a support system while working on completing her degree. She plans to continue her education, and has already begun to study for her Certified Emergency Nurse certification and hopes to begin a program for family nurse practitioners in the future. Dr. Berri O’Neal, Panola College Alumni Association chair, will honor Carter and Lee with individual awards on May 4, 2023, at the spring commencement ceremonies.

Panola COllege, at our Shelby College location in Center, is offering a Certified Nurses Aide class beginning  May 8th. This class will offer Grant, Scholarship and Self Pay opportunities. For more information and to register, contact the Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email tmccann@panola.edu 

04/11/2023 Due to a broken water main, caused by construction on Hwy 96 S, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the CHOICE Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water 04/11/2023 on Hwy 96 S (anyone without water) north from CR 1012 to CR 1006. From intersction at HWY 96 and Fm 417 east to intersection of FM 2140 and Fm 417 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 Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346

April Lunch and Learn

The Chamber of Commerce Health Care Committee is hosting the April Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, April 26 th at noon at the AgriLife Extension Office. The guest speaker for April will be Whitney Burran, Executive Director of the Family Crisis Center of East Texas.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In statement given earlier this month, Governor Greg Abbott encouraged Texans to help raise awareness of sexual assault and recognize the courage of survivors across the state and nation throughout the month of April.

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas is a non-profit organization that empowers survivors of domestic violence and assault by providing crisis intervention and advocacy services. The FCC also engages the community through education to build awareness and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas has a 24-hour crisis hotline. It operates a 39-bed emergency shelter/safe house. It also offers services to victims and children such as food, clothing, peer support, transportation and self sufficiency assistance. Their Vision is to end the culture of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Lunch and Learns are open to everyone. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP to 598- 7744 or to 598-3682. For information contact the Chamber offices at 598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.

TCCA-Harvest For Homes produce drop will be Wednesday April 12, 2023 @9AM in Ivan Smith Parking Lot.

 Holiday Health , and Rehab decided not to do the Easter egg hunt this morning. However, we are inviting everyone to drive-through and pick up some Easter eggs filled with a surprise. I hear they’re barbecuing hotdogs as well so you can pick up some while you’re there holiday health and Rehab Center, Texas. Load up the kids in the car and drive through holiday health and rehab 280 Moffett Dr. we’re starting at 10 o’clock this morning. Happy Easter

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

On April 1, 2023, 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 April 6, 2023.

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.

The Toledo Bend Chapter of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society will be cooking Saturday April 15th , and every 3rd Saturday at Boles Field outside of Shelbyville, Texas. The public is invited to bring a covered dish while watching and learning about the art of Dutch Oven cooking and if up to the challenge become a member. We start cooking about 9:00 am and have pots on the table at 12 noon. Bring your lawn chairs and join us. Dues are $20 a family for a year. Call James at 409-625-4787 for more information.

Effective April 1, 2023

Until further notice Due to a break in a line within the City of San Augustine, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required San Augustine Rural Public Water System PWS #2030007 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. 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.

Benford Chapel Baptist Church 126 MLK Street Tenaha , Texas 75974 Bishop Joseph Hall Jr , and members of the Benford Chapel Baptist wants To invite Everyone to worship w us for our Easter Sunrise service @6:00 am ,, Breskfast will be served following Thank u , Maxine Berry , Church Clerk

100th Anniversary Celebration Morrison Insurance Agency

Morrison Insurance Agency is celebrating their 100 th Anniversary on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Everyone is invited to stop by and celebrate with the Morrison family and staff. There will be door prizes and refreshments

Morrison Insurance Agency has its beginnings in 1923 when H.B. Johnson founded Johnson’s Insurance Agency. In 1925, Tommie Eugene Morrison (T.E.) and H.B Harris started Morrison and Harris Insurance Agency. Thomas Earl (Tommy) Morrison joined them in 1949. In 1952, Johnson’s Insurance Agency merged with Tommy Morrison’s Agency and formed Johnson & Morrison Insurance Agency. Tommy Morrison and H.B. Johnson were partners for twenty-six years, and friends for life. Thomas Earl (Tem) Morrison, Jr. joined his father in 1978, when Mr. Johnson retired. The name changed to Morrison Insurance Agency. Jane Morrison, wife and mother, joined the business in 1984, after receiving her license. Mrs. Morrison rarely missed a day of work, and just recently retired. Connie Morrison started working in 2018. She is licensed in personal insurance and handles the accounts receivables/payables.

Together, this family business has continued to grow and prosper. Their staff (extended family) have been, and continue to be, committed to the business and their customers. Joy Miller, an experienced agent having previously worked at Stockman Insurance and Bounds Insurance, was with Morrison’s for nearly 25 years, retiring just after her 90 th birthday. JoLynn Fountain started in the insurance industry in 1980 at her parent’s agency and has been at Morrison Insurance for 25 years. JoLynn’s primary focus is commercial insurance. Monica Watson has over 25 years of experience in insurance having previously worked at State Farm. She started working at Morrison’s in 2015, left in 2019 but is back with the company specializing in personal and some commercial insurance.

Morrison’s Insurance Agency is an independent Insurance Agency representing many superior rate companies. This provides them the opportunity to shop for their clients to get the best rates possible. Congratulations on 100 years of business in Shelby County and Thank You!! Morrison Insurance Agency is located at 125 Shelbyville Street on the downtown square. Call and make an appointment at 936-598-2791.

Most of you have seen the old picture of the downtown square – the one with the oxen and horses on the flat and unpaved square with a fence around the Courthouse lawn instead of step-up we have today. It was taken on May 5, 1923 by local photographer Roy R. Loving. On May 5, 2023 a photo will be taken in honor of the photo’s 100th Anniversary. We would love for everyone to be on the square and in the picture. The photo will be taken around 2:00pm on Friday, May 5 th . It will be a fun comparison to the changes on the square in the past 100 years. More information will be available at a later date. Below is the article written about the event, published on May 9, 1923 in The Champion. “A four-up ox team appeared on the streets here Saturday and it created more attention than anything else in town. Horses were hard to get to pass the team as it stood on the street and the general citizenship inspected them. It was noticeable that the horses were afraid of the oxen and cared nothing for the many automobiles around them. This is a reverse of conditions of only a few years ago. While the ox team was “parked” on the square Photographer Loving took a street scene picture with the ox team, a Cadillac touring car and Federal Truck parked with the team. This picture will be printed in this paper at a later date, also a picture of a street scene in Center 19 years ago. The ox team here referred to belongs to Mr. McDaniel, north of town, and he has two of the four-up teams. There only a few teams in the county at this time and the only thing that they are used for is logging and that only in sections where it is hard to get mule teams in the woods.” Thank you to J.J. Ford for finding the above article. It was during this time that Mr. H.B. Johnson (the Chamber’s first Chairman of the Board) was responsible for passing two major bonds, one of which was used for paving the streets around the square and to extend the pavement down the main streets leading into the square. The streets were paved a year or so after the picture was taken. It was the task of the Chamber to get all the stores in Center to close in order for the male employees to work on the road projects. At that time, roads into town were “pretty bad” and not maintained. All males over the age of 21 years, were required to give five days a year working on the roads, or hire someone to take his place. Electric lights were also introduced around this time period.