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February 4, 2026 - U.S. Highway 96 North just south of CR 3770 was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover crash involving a truck hauling propane on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, at around 12:50pm.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they found a white 2016 Freightliner hauling a propane tank on its side in the southbound side of the roadway.
Traffic in both directions was shut down as a safety precaution and to allow emergency crews to address the circumstances of the incident. The driver involved was transported from the scene by ambulance for possible treatment of injury.
Once it was determined it was safe to do so, a wrecker crew worked with two trucks to right the vehicle so it could be transported from the scene, and the roadway cleared.
Center Fire Department personnel were ready with a charged line in the event of a sparked ignition of fuel.
While Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigated the incident, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Deputies were at the location to assist.
(Update): The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers investigated a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 96, north of Center, that occurred Monday, February 3, 2026.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 12:54 p.m., a 2016 Freightliner M2 [McAdams Propane Company] propane truck and driven by Leon Garrard, 44, of Carthage was traveling north. It is reported that Garrard failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway to the right, took faulty evasive action back to the left, and overturned.
Garrard was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Citation details were not made available at the time of this report.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
DPS Troopers on scene included Trooper Josh Gradberg, Trooper Keith Jones and Trooper Dustin Ramos.
February 3, 2026 - The intersection of FM 2694 and FM 417 was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover crash Saturday, January 31, 2026.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 9:01am, a 2007 Mazda M3 driven by Cesar Raudales Medina, 27, of Center was traveling north on FM 2694. It is reported that the driver of the Mazda was distracted in his vehicle by the GPS system, disregarded the stop sign at the intersection, left the roadway, and overturned.
Medina was not injured.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department fire personnel assisted at the scene.
February 3, 2026 - Center Fire Department (CFD) was dispatched during icy weather to three fires on Sunday, January 25, 2026, all within the same hour.
When firefighters with the CFD arrived at around 7:50pm at 1314 Shelbyville Street into Pecan Grove trailer park, they discovered a mobile home on fire which was surrounded by several other mobile home.
The firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire, preventing it from spreading to other neighboring homes.
Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department firefighters assisted at the scene.
Within the same time frame, two other house fires were reported, including one that was on State Highway 87 North which was electrical in origin and was quickly able to be contained by fire personnel.
While CFD was occupied with the other calls, Tenaha and Timpson Volunteer Fire Departments both responded to a house fire in the 800 block of CR 1044, and they were supported by Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department. That fire had become fully involved and resulted in a total loss.
No one was reported to have been injured at any of these incidents.
February 3, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhill public water system, 2100013, to issue a Boil Water Notice on 1-28-2026 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 2-3-2026.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
January 29, 2026 - Due to the winter storm, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhill 2100013 public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
February 3, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhill public water system, 2100013, to issue a Boil Water Notice on 1-8-2026 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 2-3-2026.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
January 8, 2026 - Due to a line break by Spectrum boring crews, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhill 2100013 public water system to notify customers from county road 1168 and TX-7 going west 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 Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
February 3, 2026 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, states County Road 1049 is closed as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Straw Creek for bridge replacement.
Once the project is completed, an update will follow.
January 22, 2026 - The March 3rd Primary Election is fast approaching and there are several deadlines to be aware of leading up to Election Day.
Register to Vote
The last day to register to vote is Monday, February 2, 2026. Visit votetexas.gov to register and for more information.
Ballot by Mail
- First day to apply for a ballot by mail using Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) or Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) is Thursday, January 1, 2026.
- Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked) is Friday, February 20, 2026.
- More information about Voting by Mail: https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/index.html
- More information and how to file an Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM): https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/application-for-ballot-by-mail.html
January 31, 2026 - The Red Cross Shelter at First Baptist Church, Center will be closing tomorrow at 12-noon on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
January 27, 2026 - First Baptist Church Center located on Cora Street in the Family Life Center is now an overnight shelter sponsored by the American Red Cross and will potentially be open until Friday. After that the situation will be re-evaluated.
Signage will be located on the street to indicate the shelter.
The shelter will now be open until Friday as a 24-hour overnight location. Anyone seeking shelter may want to bring a pillow and blanket, and there will be cots.
The church is located at 117 Cora Street, and the Family Life Center is behind the church building.
January 30, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners met Friday, January 30, 2026, for an emergency meeting to ratify the Declaration of Disaster put in place by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison on January 23, 2026, in reference to winter storm Fern.
The ratification of disaster reads as follows:
Ratification of Declaration of Disaster
Whereas, the County of Shelby, hereby ratifies the following Declaration of Disaster issued January 23, 2026 for the winter storm designated as 'Fern'.
Whereas, the County of Shelby, on the 23rd of January, 2026, is facing imminent threat of widespread or sever damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from severe winter weather. Conditions include below freezing temperatures, ice accumulation on trees, power lines and roadways and possible interruption on utilities.
Whereas, I, Allison Harbison, County Judge of Shelby County, Texas, has determined, based upon trajectory reports issued by the National Weather Service and the Texas State Operations Center, that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering and protect the people of Shelby County, Texas. And to also, protect and/or rehabilitate property; and
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed By The County Judge Of Shelby County, Texas:
I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.
III. Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the Shelby County, Texas Emergency Management Plan.
This proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance.
Ordered this 23rd day of January, 2026 and Ratified the 30th day of January, 2026.
Allison Harbison, County Judge Shelby County, Texas
January 29, 2026 - First responders with the Timpson Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the location of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highways 59 and 84 in Timpson on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
When fire department personnel and Shelby County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived at the scene, they found a truck tractor in the middle of the southbound traffic lane of U.S. 59 and a truck hauling oilfield equipment.
According to details from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 6:53pm, a white 2012 Peterbilt truck tractor owned by Baker Hughes and driven by Chance King, 28, of Victoria was attempting to cross U.S. 59 to travel east on U.S. 84, while a grey 2020 Peterbilt owned by ZRM Hauling LLC, and driven by Isidro Garcia, 63, of Houston towing a 1993 Raven semi-trailer was traveling south on U.S. 59.
It is reported that the 2012 Peterbilt failed to yield the right-of-way and struck the 2020 Peterbilt.
King and Garcia were reported to not have been injured.
Citation details were not reported.
According to DPS, this is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
Fire personnel and deputies diverted traffic at the location until the crash scene was clear.
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