The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
December 22, 2022 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was paged out at 10:41pm on Wednesday, December 21 to a house with its roof on fire on U.S. 84 East outside of Timpson. Upon arrival, it was discovered to be a mobile home with the roof on fire. Firefighters made an interior and exterior attack knocking the flames back while dealing with a metal roof on top of the original.
Garrison VFD arrived and helped finish extinguishing the flames and knock down hot spots. Once the scene was safe, all units cleared and returned to the station around 3am on December 22.
Timpson VFD would like to thank the Garrison VFD for their assistance and reports there were no injuries as a result of the fire.
December 21, 2022 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued an urgent weather message for a Hard Freeze Warning at 12:30pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 for counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.
A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect from 6pm Thursday, December 22 until noon Saturday, December 24.
* WHAT... Sub-freezing temperatures ranging from 4 to 12 degrees possible. In addition, below freezing temperatures will linger for an extended period of time.
* WHERE... Portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma and east and northeast Texas. Counties: (AR) Sevier, Howard, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union, (LA) Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, De Soto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Caldwell, La Salle, (OK) McCurtain, (TX) Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, and San Augustine. Including the cities of De Queen, Nashville, Mineral Springs, Dierks, Ashdown, Hope, Prescott, Texarkana, Stamps, Lewisville, Bradley, Magnolia, El Dorado, Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Idabel, Broken Bow, Clarksville, Bogata, Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Daingerfield, Lone Star, Naples, Omaha, Atlanta, Linden, Hughes Springs, Queen City, Mineola, Winnsboro, Quitman, Hawkins, Gilmer, Big Sandy, Jefferson, Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Jacksonville, Rusk, Henderson, Carthage, Nacogdoches, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland.
* WHEN... From 6 PM Thursday to noon CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS... Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
December 20, 2022 - TxDOT issued a traffic alert: Contractors are currently working on SH21 at the Attoyac River to repair damage to the roadway caused by recent sustained rains. Please use caution in this area and follow traffic control measures. Expect possible delays.
December 20, 2022 - Southwestern Electric Power Co. is urging customers to be prepared for a potential extreme winter weather event Thursday and Friday. Forecasts predict dangerous, below-freezing temperatures, high winds and some wintry precipitation across Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. These factors can stress the electric grid and cause utility problems. SWEPCO personnel are prepared if power outages occur and are asking customers to do the same by following these tips.
Plan ahead
- Develop a plan for you and your family. Decide now what you'll do if there's an extended power outage.
- If you or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons, make a plan now in case there are extended outages.
- Gather an emergency outage kit that includes a portable heater. Review and follow safety specifications before using.
- Make sure your contact information – including your cell number – is current with family, friends and others.
- Learn more about making an emergency kit and get other preparedness tips at SWEPCO.com/Outages/StormPrep
Stay connected
- Charge power banks ahead of time to help keep your cell phones charged.
- Report outages and check power restoration status at SWEPCO.com/Outages
- Download the SWEPCO mobile app for quick access to outage information: SWEPCO.com/App.
- Sign up to get SWEPCO alerts: SWEPCO.com/Alerts.
- Follow SWEPCO on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Be safe
Treat all downed lines as dangerous — they can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and keep others away, including children and pets. Call SWEPCO at 1-888-218-3919 or 911 immediately.
Always use caution with any alternate sources of lighting, cooking, cooling or heating. Never operate lanterns, heaters, generators, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your home's main electrical panel. This can "back-feed" electricity into outside utility lines, creating the danger of electrocution for repair crews and the public. Instead, read the manufacturer's instructions, and only plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
Be careful when driving or walking near all utility work zones.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 547,800 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
December 19, 2022 - In lieu of upcoming freezing weather temperatures SandHill WSC would like to issue a precautionary checklist to minimize the potential risks.
Inside the house
• Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them DRIP slowly. In severely frigid temperatures, keeping water moving within the pipes will help prevent freezing.
• Check the location for the main water shutoff in your home. And refresh your memory on—or learn—how it works, in case you have to use it.
• Check that fireplaces, wood stoves and electric heaters are working properly. Make sure there are no combustible items near the heat sources and watch them closely, especially the first time in the season you use them. Outside the house
• Wrap up any exposed pipes around your home. exposed pipes are susceptible to busting in cold temperatures.
• If your pipes burst, first turn off the water. You know now where the main water shut off is, right? Cut off the flow, then attend to the broken pipes.
• Generators! If you have a generator make sure you have enough fuel and place all generators outside your home or in an open air flow space.
Attention!!!! IF you do not have water please DO NOT assume the water facilities are down. Check your meter and make sure you do not have a leak!
If an emergency occurs please call Alison Rhone 936-332-4439
December 19, 2022 - A police officer was arrested over the weekend and booked into the Shelby County Jail with four charges. Allen Rangel, 29 of Mt. Pleasant, was charged with assault of a public servant; assault causing bodily injury - family member; resisting arrest, search, or transport; and terroristic threat against public servant.
According to a Center Police Department Press Release, on the morning of December 17, 2022, the Center Police Department was notified of a disturbance involving an off duty Center PD patrolman. Officers arrived and determined that a criminal offense occurred. The Center PD officer was taken into custody.
This is an active investigation, an internal investigation is ongoing. The Texas Rangers have been contacted, as well as, the Shelby County District Attorney.
The off duty Center PD patrolman involved has been relieved of his duties.
December 19, 2022 - Over the week December 11 through December 17 the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had three calls as well as our annual officer election. Here’s a summary of the weeks events.
Of the three calls, two consisted of medical assistance and the other a request to help funeral home personnel with a deceased person.
In other news, the department held its final meeting of the year Monday night to elect the officers for 2023. The results of which are:
Chief and Fire Marshal - Jeremy Boyett
1st Assistant Chief - Rusty Wilson
2nd Assistant Chief - Mike Stephens
Secretary/Treasurer - Athena Ezernack (left) and Training Officer - Stephen Ewing (right)
Traffic Officer - Tommy Boyett
Safety Officer and Chaplain - Steve Cockrell
Maintenance Officer - Michael Bates (right) and Assistant Maintenance Officer - Michael Parker (left)
Reporter- Brock Pugh
That will conclude the final report for 2022. Reports will resume in January of 2023. Thanks to our loyal readers for your support and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
December 16, 2022 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 19 indictments on Monday, December 5, 2022, including one for murder. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2022 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts, and grand jury was held in both the 123rd/273rd Judicial District courts.
Ethan Myers was indicted for murder, first degree felony. The indictment alleges, on November 13, 2022, Myers intentionally and knowingly caused the death of Sarah Hopson by blunt force trauma to her head with an object unknown to the grand jury.
Donald Tipton was indicted for theft of property, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 14, 2021, Tipton unlawfully took a John Deere 310DL backhoe with an enclosed cab of the value of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000 from Yellow House in Abilene, Texas, the owner, without its consent.
Dalton Grant Miller was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 31, 2022, Miller operated a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck without the consent of Gary Wayne Cason, the owner.
Carlos Deshun Cowthorn was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state jail felony. The indictment alleges on March 3, 2022, Cowthorn operated a maroon 1986 Chevrolet Caprice without the consent of K.L. Metcalf, the owner.
Katherine Diane Curbow was indicted for fraud use/ possession of identifying information, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on August 14, 2021, with intent to harm or defraud another and without the consent of Tammy Hanson, possessed less than five items of identifying information of Hanson including names, dates of birth, account numbers, passwords, private client information that was on an iPhone.
Laderha Hebert was indicted for assault public servant, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on April 30, 2022, Hebert recklessly caused bodily injury to Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Jones by kicking him in the head and Jones was a public servant lawfully discharging an official duty, namely detaining the defendant.
John Michael Brumfield was indicted for forgery financial instrument, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on October 31, 2021, Brumfield made a writing so it purported to be the act of Michael Alexander as treasurer for Union Missionary Baptist Church, who did not authorize the act, and said writing was a check of the tenor following: $400.
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Giselle Salinas, possession of a controlled substance PG2 <1G (tetrahydrocannabinol, other than marijuana), state jail felony (May 20, 2022).
- Margie Stahl, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (June 2, 2022).
- Dontay Demond Barnes, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (April 8, 2022).
- Jimmy Dale Chamberlain, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), enhanced - second degree felony (March 23, 2022).
- Rodney Dewayne Gray, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 8, 2022).
- Justin Warren Hightower, driving while intoxicated - 3rd or more, third degree felony (May 22, 2022).
- Lawonda Jean Roland, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B <1G (phencyclidine), state jail felony (May 10, 2022).
- Keith Monroe Harris, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (April 8, 2022).
- Keith Monroe Harris, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (December 2, 2021).
- Laderha Hebert, driving while intoxicated with child under 15 years of age, state jail felony (April 30, 2022).
- David Vincent Tillotson, possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (March 24, 2022).
- Gustavo Pallares, possession of marijuana >4oz<=5lbs, state jail felony (April 30, 2022).
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
December 16, 2022 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a house fire at 2:48am Thursday, December 15, 2022, on CR 4020.
Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered a dwelling fully involved and a second portable structure fully involved as well.
Timpson VFD fire fighters worked to extinguish the flames and overhauled on the hot spots that remained until 5am when the scene was cleared and all units returned to the station.
No injuries were reported as the house was vacant at the time of the fire.
Shelby County, Texas Included in Settlement Agreement
December 16, 2022 – Attorney General Paxton announced a planned $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart, with over $168 million designated for Texas, for Walmart’s role in the nationwide opioid epidemic. The agreement will largely track the terms of the Global Prescription Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement with the opioids distributors that was executed in July 2021.
“The opioid epidemic has had devastating impacts on millions of Americans, and we are hopeful that we will reach a final agreement on all terms to ensure that Walmart is held responsible for their role in it,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This settlement is yet another example of my office’s commitment to protecting the people of Texas and ensuring that we hold accountable those who have violated the law and worsened the effects of the opioid epidemic.”
This agreement is the latest opioid settlement that Attorney General Paxton has negotiated for Texas. To date, Attorney General Paxton has secured approximately $2.4 billion for Texas from the manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and others that caused the opioid crisis, including Walmart, Allergan, Mallinckrodt, Teva, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey.
Attorney General Paxton worked closely on these negotiations with the Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
To read the full settlement agreement, click here.
Pages
