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July 10, 2023 - Over the week of July 2nd through 8th the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department had 5 separate calls. Here’s a summary of the week’s events.
Tuesday evening at 4:20pm a call was received for a grass fire behind a residence on County Road 3173. The Joaquin VFD responded with two brush trucks and made short work of the blaze.
Wednesday morning at 7:49am a page came in for an unresponsive 80-year-old male at a residence on Bonaparte Street. The JVFD responded to render aid to the patient before Allegiance arrived to transport him to an emergency room.
Wednesday afternoon at 12:13pm a call came in for a brush fire off of FM 2428. The fire turned out to be part of a control burn.
Wednesday night at 9:54pm a page was received for a 75-year-old female with chest pains at a residence on Highway 7 East. The JVFD medical team responded to help the patient until Allegiance could arrive to transport her.
Thursday morning at 6:33am a call was received for a 20-year-old that had fallen off of a roof while working on FM 139. The fall was severe enough that the patient required an airlift, so the JVFD set up a landing zone at the baseball field. The Joaquin VFD remained on scene until the helicopter was airborne with the patient.
In other news, the Joaquin VFD drew for the winners of our 2023 Multi-Item raffle. The winners are as follows:
1. Buren Lowe - Benelli Super Eagle III Shotgun
2 .Matthew Holt - Savage Model 110 with Leopold 3x9 scope
3. JC Whitaker - Ruger American Rifle with Sig Sauer 3x9 scope
4. Tanner Peace - Henry .410 Lever Action Shotgun
5. Will Connell -Henry Golden Boy .22 Rifle
6. Britney Hudspeth - SCCY Arms CCW pistol
7. Raymond Hogg - Rossi Semi-Auto Rifle
8. Jeremy Harvey - $500 Visa gift card
9. William Hopson - $500 Ace Hardware gift card
10. Jason Harvey - Custom Hunting Knife
11. Adam Gurley - Custom Charcuterie Board
12. Jimmy Cameron - Battery Charger
13. Tami Ewing - 25-gallon propane tank
14. Phil Worsham - Jumper Cables
15. Lucinda David - Coleman cooler and camp chairs
Congratulations to this years winners and thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle both by donating the prizes and purchasing tickets.
With that, this edition of the report will come to a close. The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week ahead.
July 7, 2023 - Work will begin on Monday, weather permitting, on a Shelby County roadway that will require lane closures and traffic control for up to six weeks.
Crews will begin rehabilitating and widening the length of FM 3343 next week from US 84 to the end of state maintenance. Work is expected to begin at 6:30am until 3:30pm TxDOR Monday through Friday until the project is completed.
Traffic control will be set with lane closures and lead cars guiding motorists through the work zone. Drivers are urged to stay alert, reduce speed and obey all traffic control. Be aware of moving equipment and workers near the lane of traffic. Motorists should expect delays through this work zone.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
Statement from Sheriff Kevin W. Windham regarding sex offender registration in Shelby County:
July 7, 2023 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for registering all sex offenders that reside in Shelby County, this includes offenders residing within the Center city limits.
Offenders are seen on Tuesdays and Thursdays BY APPOINTMENT only. Offenders needing to verify, and/or make changes to their registration must contact Leah Chase, SCSO registration officer, prior to appearing in person. If you show up in person to make a change, you will be assigned a time to come back.
“Appointments are required to disperse the heavy workload that this position carries. We have been as accommodating as we can in the past about letting offenders come in on their own time, but this just isn’t a possibility any longer,” stated Sheriff Windham. “Setting everyone up with a specific time allows us to keep a better handle on registrations.”
To schedule an appointment, contact Leah Chase at the SCSO by calling 936-598-5601.
July 6, 2023 - According to the San Augustine County Sheriff's Department, murder suspect, Kenavion Marquise Baker, age 26, from Shreveport, LA, has been found and is in custody.
The San Augustine Sheriff’s Department warns everyone to BE AWARE, as they search for a murder suspect.
Murder suspect at-large in San Augustine County. Tall black male with long dreads. Approximately 6’3”, 150 lbs. Possibly wearing camo pants and a black hoodie.
Last seen around 517 Price Dr., San Augustine, TX.
Possibly armed and dangerous!
Keep All Doors Locked Down!
July 4, 2023 - State Highway 87 South of FM 147 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash involving a culvert.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 1:35pm on June 27, 2023, a silver 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by a 17-year-old male driver of Shelbyville was southbound on State Highway 87 South near CR 2124.
At that time, for an unknown reason, the Hyundai failed to drive in a single lane and the driver overcorrected, jerking the wheel and taking the vehicle back onto the roadway before flipping and striking a culvert.
The driver was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for evaluation and of possible treatment of injuries. He was issued a citation for fail to drive in a single lane.
Emergency personnel with the Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and in coming to the aid of the driver. Jamie Hagler, Constable Precinct 2, and DPS Trooper Chris Cain assisted with the crash investigation.
While traffic control was ongoing, and traffic was at a slow pace to protect everyone at the scene of the crash, a truck tractor hauling a tanker passed the slower moving vehicles within the crash scene through the double yellow lines. Trooper Cain immediately got into his unit and tracked down the truck tractor.
July 4, 2023 - An area business warns fake money has again found its way to Shelby County. This time, the money isn't just $100 bills but is being smaller bills such as $5 and $20 dollar bills. The money is being mixed in with real money making it hard to recognize the 'copy' money even though it is clearly printed 'COPY' on it along with 'MOTION PICTURE USE' across the top and 'FOR MOTION PICTURE COPY MONEY' on the right side.
Be aware and diligent to check all money given whether as a business or a customer. If you have cash, check and make sure you weren't slipped any of the fake money before using it.
September 28, 2022 - A local restaurant contacted Shelby County Today to help alert business owners and the public regarding fake $100 bills being used in the area. The owner advised one $100 bill was accepted before staff realized it was counterfeit. When a second bill was attempted to be used, the staff was aware and ready.
How to tell if money is counterfeit? Check out this article on the Federal Reserve's website - https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12597.htm
To report counterfeit currency, contact local law enforcement immediately. The Center Police Department's phone number is 936-598-2788 and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department's phone number is 936-598-5601.
Timpson Square on Saturday July 1, 2023 –
(Parade Album) (Parade, Washer, Tourney) (Cheer, Cakes) (Cakes, Carnival)
Saturday saw the downtown Timpson area alive with various Timpson Frontier Days activities. The parade and car show kicked off the early morning and the washer pitching and carnival soon followed. The Timpson Bears elementary through high school cheerleaders and cake sale finished later that night.
The finale for Saturday Frontier Day events was the cake sale which raised money for at least four $1000 scholarships. Among those selling cakes were Teri Alexander, Mrs. Higginbotham, Debbie Golden, Cindy Rhodes, Marilyn Corder, Debra Crawford, Bryan McDonald, Patsy Holloway, Sandy Jones, Sylvia McDonald, Terry Alexander, Pam Shepard, Jackie Eaves, Rachel Edwards, Valerie Edwards, Barbra Edwards, Mrs. Stewart, Reggie Caraway, and Mickie Weaver. Mr. Roger from the Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service also sold six pieces of artwork to raise money as well.
Buying cakes and items were Kyle Edwards, Austin Bank, the Quick Stop, Hopkins Wrecker, Direct Buildings, McAdams Gas, McDonalds Hardware, Nix Forestry, Robert Williams, Rachel Edwards, Constable Tipton, Mayor Debra Smith, Eaves Realty, and Eugene Greely.
Washer results courtesy of Dwayne Brister are: Doubles:1st place, Nathan Marshall & Brandon Mince. 2nd place, Neil Grant & Rodney Hale. Singles: 1st place, Neil Grant, 2nd place, Colton Ethridge.
Car show results: 1st place, Tommy Des - 1955 Chevy Bel Air; 2nd place and People's Choice, Brenda and Charles Mackey - 1954 Chevy Pickup; 3rd place, Scott Tanner - 1967 Mercury M-100 Truck; Kids Choice, David Walters - 2008 Jeep Wrangler. Total prize money awarded was $750.
July 2, 2023 - A new chapter in Precinct 4 has begun as Margaret Dee Dee Green has been sworn in as the new Justice of the Peace.
A ceremony was held at the Justice of the Peace office on Friday, June 30, 2023, with a turnout of support from community members, family and friends and other public officials.
Tracy Broadway, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, has been maintaining the office following appointment by the Shelby County Commissioners' Court after the removal of Josh Ritter from the Precinct 4 office, and he administered the oath of office to Green.
“We’re super excited to have Dee Dee become one of us, JP world. I know that Karren [Price] is gonna miss Dee Dee, her office and workers there at the District Attorney’s office, but we feel your loss is our gain, and we know she’s going to be close by so that’s awesome,” said Broadway. “We appreciate the elected officials being here today, we appreciate the friends and family members being here today, Tenaha community leaders for being here today. Thank y’all.”
Following the administration of the oath of office, Green thanked all who were present, and expressed gratitude to Price for the opportunity to learn about Texas law.
“I look forward to serving the people of Tenaha, this is where I’ve come to die, so I’m going to do everything I can to do my best,” said Green.
Related article:
Commissioners Appoint Green to JP 4
July 1, 2023 - Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Nickolas Shane Matthews, 22, of Joaquin.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Telecommunications Division received a 9-1-1 call in regards to a man with a gun on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at approximately 7am. SCSO investigators and deputies responded to the residence located on Faulkville Road in Joaquin. After three hours of trying to make contact with Matthews, SCSO investigators, deputies, DPS officers, and Constable Roy Cheatwood entered the home and located Matthews.
Law enforcement officers were granted permission to search the home by the homeowner. The search produced narcotics believed to be 271 grams of xanax, seven (7) grams of methamphetamine, 5.8 ounces of marijuana, one (1) gram of ecstasy, packaging material for the distribution of narcotics and an AK-47.
Matthews was arrested and charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance (F-1); Possession of a Controlled Substance (POCS) (F-2); Possession of a Controlled Substance (F-3); Unlawful Carry of a Weapon by a Felon (F-2); Delivery of Marijuana (SJF),and Assault (M-A).
June 30, 2023 - U.S. Highway 59 in Timpson is the scene of an 18-wheeler rollover and chemical spill June 30, 2023.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the crash incident near the intersection with U.S. Highway 84 around 11am where a truck tractor had rolled over onto its side.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service assisted those involved in the crash. Fire personnel then began diverting traffic around the crash scene to keep traffic moving in all directions and blocked off the remainder of the northbound traffic lanes as a chemical had also spilled from the trailer.
Lonestar Hazmat and Hopkins Wrecker Service then began working to contain the spill and prepare to right the truck tractor, while Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers investigate the crash.
As of 7:15pm the roadway is back open in both directions.
(Update): According to information released from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 59, just south of Timpson, today, June 30, 2023.
The preliminary information indicates at approximately 10:50am, a green 2014 Volvo truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Bashu Chuman, 36, from Fairfield, OH. was traveling north at an unsafe speed when the Volvo overturned and slid into the grass median, resulting in the highway being shutdown for safety purposes.
Chuman was transported to a Center hospital for possible treatment.
A hazmat team is currently cleaning up the spilled contents and there is no immediate danger to the public.
This is an ongoing investigation. Additional information is not available at this time.
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