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August 20, 2022 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana, issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 1:53pm on Saturday, August 20, 2022 for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, east Texas and northeast Texas.
This afternoon and tonight, rain chances will remain in place across southern portions of the area this afternoon. A few strong storms with gusty winds and frequent lightning cannot be ruled out, along with isolated flash flooding from locally heavy downpours.
Sunday through Friday, the potential for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will remain through the majority of the region through next week, as a series of frontal boundaries and disturbances move across the area. A severe weather threat appears low at this time, but locally heavy rainfall is possible.
Updated at 4:40pm: At 432 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Joaquin, or 12 miles north of Center, moving northeast at 15 mph.
Updated at 4:25pm: The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement at 4:04pm on Saturday, August 20, 2022. A strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern De Soto Parish, southeastern Panola, Shelby and northeastern San Augustine Counties through 4:30pm CDT.
At 4:03 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Tenaha to near Center to near San Augustine. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.
Radar indicated winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include Center, San Augustine, Logansport, Tenaha, Joaquin, Patroon, Shelbyville, Bland Lake, Neuville, Huxley, Stanley, Hurstown, James, Calgary, Jordans Store and Paxton.
If on or near the north end of the Toledo Bend reservoir, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm.
August 20, 2022 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued a special weather statement at 3:37pm on Saturday, August 20, 2022 for Shelby and Panola Counties in Texas. A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Panola and northwestern Shelby Counties through 4:30pm.
At 3:37pm, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles northwest of Timpson, or 11 miles southwest of Carthage, moving northeast at 20 mph.
Locations impacted include Carthage, Timpson, Gary City and Woods. Radar indicated winds in excess of 40 mph with gusty winds that could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
- If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
- Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
- Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
- These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
August 19, 2022 - State Highway 7 East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash incident Thursday, August 18, 2022, which has resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene four miles northeast of Center, located between Moodyville and James Communities, a utility truck was parked on the eastbound shoulder with its stabilisers deployed where a crew was working to install utility poles. An 18-wheeler was further up the roadway and its trailer was missing its rear axle. One of the crewmen had been injured and was beside the truck.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 8:35am, a 2013 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer was eastbound. It is reported that a white 2021 Freightliner truck tractor utility truck was parked on the east shoulder with a pedestrian standing next to it when a white 2013 Freightliner driven by Ricardo Cortes, 40, of Houston failed to drive in a single lane and struck the pedestrian and the utility truck.
The pedestrian identified as Ethan Strother, 19, of Markville, La., was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.
This is an ongoing investigation and there is no additional information available at this time.
The crash investigation was led by Trooper Dustin Ramos, assisted by Trooper Sgt. Aaron Shelton.
Also assisting at the scene were Constables with Precinct 5 and Precinct 2, as well as Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies. Allegiance EMS, Center Fire Department personnel and Timpson Volunteer Fire Department personnel assisted with traffic control.
Joaquin City Hall Building on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 –
The City of Joaquin held a regularly scheduled meeting, on Tuesday, to address various agenda items. Reports were given by the city’s Utility Billing Manager, Public Works Manager and City Secretary during the meeting, as well as Linda Wheeler who gave updates on issues with the town’s Senior Citizens Center.
Stacy Cranford gave updates on the towns water department and gave estimates for either repairing or replacing the city’s water pumps. He also asked permission to discuss with Tenaha an equipment exchange idea which would possibly allow for the two towns to ‘Loan’ each other items which was rarely used in order to avoid both towns to have to invest in duplicate items.
The city next voted to hire Bailey Construction as contractor to do work on Joaquin’s Community Center. Gina Owens was next hired as a cleaning contractor for the Community Center.
Item 13 saw the Council vote 4-1 to have a special election to bring to a vote legalizing the sale of malt beverages and wine for off-premises consumption only.
Near the end of the meeting the council agreed to take bids for possibly remodeling the old bank building.
Before closing there was a discussion about the possibility of renaming a road in honor of a former citizen from the town.
August 15, 2022 - Shelby County emergency personnel responded to a major fatal crash Sunday, August 14, 2022, on FM 139 near FM 417 involving a truck-tractor.
Upon arrival, the truck-tractor involved in the incident was located just off the side of the roadway and the driver had been ejected.
According to details from the Texas Department of Public Safety, at approximately 8:50pm a yellow 2020 Western Star truck tractor driven by Jeffery Barbee, 42, of Joaquin was northbound on FM 139.
The truck-tractor left the roadway to the right and overcorrected back to the left which caused it to overturn and travel off the roadway.
This is an ongoing investigation and there is no additional information from DPS available at this time.
Marla Denby, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, pronounced Barbee deceased and Watson & Sons Funeral Home transported him from the scene.
DPS Trooper Keith Jones led the investigation and he was assisted by Trooper David Shields, DPS Sgt. Aaron Shelton, Constables Roy Cheatwood and Jamie Hagler, as well as Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies Jake Gross and Jordan Ford.
Huxley Volunteer Fire Department fire personnel were on scene assisting with the driver as well as traffic control until the scene was clear. EMS also were at the location to provide medical assistance.
August 12, 2022 - Jacob Cruse was apprehended and taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. on August 11 in the Joaquin area. He was arrested for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Requirements And Evading Arrest with a Previous Conviction. We would like to thank the public for the tips and information that led to this arrest and to all other law enforcement agencies who helped us search for Cruse.
August 12, 2022 - A Joaquin man has been arrested following his alleged evasion of law enforcement during the Sheriff's Department's attempt to serve an arrest warrant on him for failure to register as a sex offender Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
Shelby County Today spoke with Roy Cheatwood, Constable Precinct 3, about the arrest on Jacob Cruse, 31, of Joaquin and according to Constable Cheatwood, during investigation at around 3:45pm he learned of Cruse's location on August 11, 2022, on State Highway 7 West.
Constable Cheatwood went to the location where a mobile home was located and negotiated apprehension of Cruse without incident.
Cheatwood stated he contacted Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Keith Jones for assistance, and had Cruse in custody before he arrived.
Constable Cheatwood thanked Trooper Jones and officers who were en-route at the time of the arrest.
Cruse was charged with evading arrest with previous conviction, felony 4; and failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements, felony 3. At this time the Shelby County Jail log does not reflect a bond.
August 12, 2022 - The City of Huxley is experiencing mild drought conditions and is asking our citizens to voluntarily reduce their water usage.
We are asking residents to assist the city with conserving water based on the City’s Drought Contingency Plan.
To assist, residents and businesses should:
• Voluntarily reduce watering of landscape, washing vehicles or boats
• Voluntarily reduce water usage in the home and/or business
• Repair known leaks (dripping faucets, running toilets)
With your help, these voluntary measures could significantly reduce the water demand and prevent us from having to implement mandatory limitations set forth in the Drought Contingency Plan required by the State of Texas.
Thank you!
August 11, 2022 - Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom wants city of Center residents to be aware the city of Center is part of the countywide burn ban.
Those who violate the burn ban are subject to potential penalties and as a result of citations may have to face the municipal court judge or justice of the peace.
Did You Know?
August 11, 2022 - August 11 is a day to remind people about 8-1-1 – the nationwide “call before you dig” number to prevent damage to underground utilities and related worker safety and health hazards, public-safety hazards, and utility interruptions. For more information, visit https://call811.com/
¿Sabías?
El 11 de agosto es un día para recordar el 8-1-1, el número nacional de "llamar antes de cavar" para evitar daños en los servicios públicos subterráneos y los consiguientes riesgos para la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores, la seguridad pública y las interrupciones de los servicios. Para más información visite https://call811.com/
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