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Around Town
April 14, 2021 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison received her second dose of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine at the Texas Military Division (TMD) hosted vaccination clinic at the John D. Windham Civic Center on Friday, April 9, 2021.
Judge Harbison, a part of the Shelby County Emergency Management team, knows the importance of helping to fight Covid-19. She has been a part of more than a year long time of hearing weekly briefs and updates about the virus and the devastation is has had on so many lives. She was proud to receive her second dose to help protect herself and others from getting Covid.
Pictured with Joaquin Fire Department Engine 1 are (left to right) Public Safety Development Corporation Board Member J.D. Cockrell, Joaquin PSDC Chairman and JVFD 2nd Assistant Chief Rusty Wilson, Joaquin Fire Chief Perry Pugh, City Council Member and longtime JVFD member Steve Cockrell, Mayor Pro-Tem and PSDC board member Cathy Atkinson, Council Members Frankie Cooper, and Mike Cummings, Jr., and Council Member and JVFD member Jesse Griffith.
April 14, 2021 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department was treated to a barbeque dinner on Monday, April 12th by the Joaquin City Council as a "thank you" for the department's hard work and selfless service to the community throughout a very difficult year in 2020.
In addition to the challenges presented by the COVID 19 pandemic, the JVFD also responded to an above average number of structure fires as well as high water rescues during the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. This service continued into 2021 with multiple unprecedented winter weather events.
Councilman Jesse Griffith spoke for the Council, saying "No matter what the call was, these guys were here to answer it. Our EMRs (Emergency Medical Responders) had to adapt on the fly with how they handled medical calls, and they have dealt with several severe weather events. They're always here, day or night."
The Fire Department responded by giving the Council, as well as members of the Joaquin Public Safety Development Corporation Board who were on hand a sneak peek at the latest addition to the JVFD fleet. Engine 1 arrived in mid-March and has since been put in service at Central Fire Station in downtown Joaquin. Engine 1 was built by E-ONE of Ocala, Florida on a 2020 International Durastar chassis. It is the first specifically designed rescue engine in Shelby County, meaning it is capable of responding to a variety of incidents, including structure fires, traffic accidents, medical emergencies, structural collapses, and more. It carries a full set of battery powered hydraulic rescue tools (aka "the Jaws of Life), as well as a full set of vehicle stabilization jacks and struts, 1260 feet of 3" supply hose, and 450 feet of pre-connected attack lines. It is also equipped with an onboard Class A foam system to augment a 1250 GPM pump and a 1000 gallon booster tank.
The truck was acquired through a FAS (Foreign Agriculture Service) grant, which is a United States Department of Agriculture program. The sale price of the truck was just over $389,000, but through the grant program, cost to the taxpayers of the Joaquin area was under $6,000. The Joaquin Public Safety Corporation funded the new equipment that went on the truck.
The Joaquin VFD is expecting to schedule an open house in the near future to show off Engine 1 to the public. That event will coincide with the kickoff of our 2021 fundraiser raffle, which will feature multiple high end items that will give supporters multiple opportunities to win. Stay tuned to local media as well the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page for future announcements.
Joaquin VFD Engine 1 Design Team: (from left) 2nd Assistant Chief Rusty Wilson, 1st Assistant Chief Jeremy Boyett, and Training Officer Stephen Ewing.
April 13, 2021 - Center City Council held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the multi-million dollar streetscape renewal project on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Downtown Center square.
Mayor David Chadwick spoke to the merchant especially but to everyone else as well, "Thank ya'll for being here. We have waited for what, 133 years! It's hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since we started planning and now its finally here. We have gone through pandemics, we've gone through floods, ice, everything and we've discovered an entirely new history of Shelby County than we ever new existed under these grounds. We really want to say our first thank yous to the patience that you have given us in doing this; it has pushed every button I know you have. We really are proud of what we have here and hope that we all prosper from it."
After the quick speech, the Mayor took the official ribbon cutting scissors provided by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and cut the ribbon. The best part of the ceremony was once the ribbon was cut, the barriers blocking the roadways were removed and traffic quickly began flowing.
The Mayor did ask that downtown travelers please be alert that traffic has returned to its original pattern running courterclockwise around the square which includes the inside parking area as well. The inside lane is a turn only lane and all intersections are four way stops.
Those present at the ribbon cutting included City of Center Council members Leigh Porterfield, Randy Collard, Howell Howard, and Terry Scull; City Employees; Center Police Department; Payne & Payne Home and Such Like; Mooney's Emporium; TMCE, Inc.; Lil's Deals; Morrison Insurance; Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Shelby County Chamber of Commerce; Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center; Affinity Hospice; Saf-T-First Drug Testing; Shelby County Treasurer Ann Blackwell; SC Auditor Clint Porterfield; State Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, and members of the community.
Editor's note: The 133 years was calculated from the 1886 date to the beginning of construction in 2019.
April 13, 2021 - There will be a Piney Woods Photographic Society (PWPS) monthly meeting this Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, 211 Porter St., Center, TX, starting at 9am until 12 noon. There will be a workshop of "Better Flower Photography" and the April Challenge will be member's photographs submitted for voting on "Flight." These photographs will highlight birds or other things in flight.
To learn more about club memberships or photos, visit our FB page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/PineyWoodsPhoto.
Visitors are always welcomed to drop in and visit at our next regularly scheduled meeting, which is always the third Saturday of the month. For information, contact Billie F. Jones, billiejones602@gmail.com.
April 13, 2021 - Tri-County Harvest for Homes Produce Drop is tomorrow, April 14 starting at 9:30am in the Ivan Smith parking lot near old sombreros restaurant. Be sure to be there before 9:30am. The Produce Drop goes quickly.
April 13, 2021 - Most often an offender is someone the child knows. Learning the signs of child abuse is one of the best ways you can keep kids safe https://bit.ly/3cYLYKG. #ChildAbuseAwareness #ChildAbusePrevention #EndChildSexualAbuse #KnowTheFacts
April 9, 2021 - COVID-19 vaccines are available! Schedule your appointment today for a first dose of Pfizer at a mass vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 10, 2021 starting at 9am at the Windham Civic Center in Center. Registration is open on www.auroraconcepts.net. Click 'Covid Vaccinations' under the MORE tab on the menu bar or click here. In the orange section, click on 'Book Your Appointment.'
The Pfizer Vaccine is administered in two doses three weeks apart.
April 9, 2021 - The Center Woman's Reading Club met March 18 at the Center First United Methodist Church fellowship hall. President Dottie West called the meeting to order and announced that the next meeting will be April15 in the FUMC fellowship hall with Bonnie Lucas serving as program leader and hostess.
She also reminded members that the April 15 meeting will be in a different program model with all members reading the same book "Where the Crawdads Sing," and will have a group discussion about the book. Ten members were present, and they welcomed two guests to the meeting: J.J. Ford and Cancee Lester.
The club will donate books in the memory of beloved and longtime member Polly Smith. She was a dedicated and valued member of the reading club. With her vast knowledge of literature, her love of reading, her delicious refreshments and her willingness to serve in many capacities for the club, she will be greatly missed and remembered by the club members who valued their friendship with this truly amazing and gracious lady.
The club is meeting at noon this year to give women who work outside the home the opportunity to be a part of this club. The Center Woman's Reading Club was founded in 1896 making it the oldest club organization in Center. Club members are practicing COVID-19 safety measures by encouraging mask wearing and social distancing.
Following the buisness meeting, Deborah Chadwick gave a fascinating report on the book "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr. It is a crime psychological thriller novel set in New York in 1896 that centered around ritualistic killings.
Following the book report, Mrs. Chadwick served delicious refreshments in honor of St. Patrick's Day with cupcakes decorated with rainbows and pots of gold and four-leaf clover decorated cookies. A time of fellowship following the meeting was enjoyed by all.
By Mary Lynn Tinkle
A view of San Augustine Street from the Austin Street intersection. The barricade is still in place.
April 8, 2021 - Striping is happening on the newly renovated downtown Center square! Will this evening or tomorrow be when the barricades are finally removed?
A view of Austin Street from the San Augustine Street intersection.
Update: Several Shelby County Today viewers have asked if the square will once again be two lanes and the answer is yes. The inside lane will be a turn only lane. The striping on the roadway will be coming soon which will help with the confusion.
April 6, 2021 - Will Tuesday, April 6th be the day? The day all four corners of the square are open once again?
Since October 8, 2019, downtown Center travelers have had to navigate detours around the square to get to one side or the other. The long haul of contruction, 546 days, made it a thrilling sight Monday evening, April 5th to see the black asphalt being paved on the final section of the construction to connect the corner of Shelbyville Street and San Augustine Street with the rest of the square.
If the barriers are not removed Tuesday because the newly paved asphalt has to be allowed to harden and cure, seeing it gives hope the construction journey is truly almost over.
Use caution when traveling downtown because even if all four corners of the square reopen today, contractors may still be working downtown putting in the final touches. Also, remember the square is one way directional travel once it reopens all the way around. Signs are up indicating the two-way traffic once allowed during construction will be no more. The inside lane is a left turn only lane.
Related article: Portions of Center Square Closed for Streetscape Project (Update)
April 8, 2021 - The Shelby County Appraisal District’s phones and computers are down at this time. We will advise when we are up and running.
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