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August 4, 2022 - Huxley VFD and Shelbyville VFD responded to a grass/brush fire at the intersection of FM 417 and CR 2515 shortly after 6pm August 3, 2022. On arrival, it was discovered that a previous fire had rekindled and spread outside the original containment lines.
Firefighters worked the fire until crews from Texas Forest Service and the US Forest Service could arrive to assist. Thankfully a quick response from firemen allowed the fire to be contained with minimum spread.
We would like to remind our community that the fire danger remains HIGH and looks to be that way for a while. Please refrain from doing any outside burning or activities that may cause a spark.
August 3, 2022 - Center Fire Department firefighters saved four homes in imminent danger of burning Wednesday, August 3, 2022, when it was reported someone was burning brush behind their house on Collier Street in Center.
When the firefighters arrived after 11:30am, even though Shelby County is under a burn ban, trees which had been cut down and various other brush were discovered to have been set on fire in the midst of several houses in close proximity to one another placing those structures in immediate danger of catching fire.
The firefighters worked quickly to put the fire out by spraying water on burning piles of wood and brush. One house was detected as already being over 200 degrees, as the firefighters sprayed water on the home and nearby jungle gym equipment.
As a result of the quick action of fire personnel, they were able to save four homes from burning, and extinguish nearby trees that were on fire.
Center Police Department officers were called to the scene and they wrote the homeowner a citation.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) which ranges from 0-800, with 0 indicating no depletion of moisture and 800 representing absolutely dry conditions, currently shows Shelby County to be at 776 for the maximum and 712 being the average according to Texas A&M Forest Service data.
Center Fire Department personnel worked with forest service personnel in fighting a fire on CR 1005 on Tuesday which had been intentionally set. The Shelby County Commissioners have not lifted the burn ban as nothing has changed recently to indicate it's safe to do so.
Firefighters put themselves in harms way every time they respond to a call, and the potential for heat exhaustion is greater when temperatures are higher.
Those who burn during a burn ban are subject to potential legal action unless they have some form of documented exemption.
Unless a city states otherwise, all of Shelby County is under a burn ban.
August 3, 2022 - The month of July 2022 had 20 days of triple digit temperatures with an 8 day streak of 100 plus degrees starting on July 6th. Each time the temps got below 100, a little rain fell the day before.
July did have 3 times more days of rain fall than June. The total for June was 0.26 inches and the total rain for July was 2.41 inches. Much more rain is needed.
The weather data for Center, Texas during the month of July 2022 is as follows:
Hottest temperature - 106.7 on July 9
Lowest temperature - 70.3 on July 23
Total rain fall for the month - 2.41 inches
Number of days with rain - 6 days
07/01/2022 - Low of 72.0, High of 84.4
07/02/2022 - Low of 73.4, High of 91.2, Rain 0.16
07/03/2022 - Low of 78.6, High of 99.9
07/04/2022 - Low of 75.2, High of 97.7
07/05/2022 - Low of 75.0, High of 98.8
07/06/2022 - Low of 77.0, High of 101.5
07/07/2022 - Low of 77.0, High of 101.7
07/08/2022 - Low of 77.5, High of 104.7
07/09/2022 - Low of 78.8, High of 106.7
07/10/2022 - Low of 80.8, High of 104.2
07/11/2022 - Low of 78.3, High of 100.8
07/12/2022 - Low of 76.6, High of 104.2
07/13/2022 - Low of 74.7, High of 104.2, Rain 0.11
07/14/2022 - Low of 70.5, High of 96.1, Rain 0.52
07/15/2022 - Low of 71.4, High of 96.4
07/16/2022 - Low of 72.7, High of 101.7
07/17/2022 - Low of 77.4, High of 103.1
07/18/2022 - Low of 79.3, High of 104.0
07/19/2022 - Low of 78.1, High of 103.6
07/20/2022 - Low of 77.9, High of 104.7
07/21/2022 - Low of 79.5, High of 87.3, Rain 0.14
07/22/2022 - Low of 71.6, High of 88.3, Rain 0.47
07/23/2022 - Low of 70.3, High of 98.2
07/24/2022 - Low of 75.6, High of 102.4
07/25/2022 - Low of 76.8, High of 100.2
07/26/2022 - Low of 76.8, High of 101.1
07/27/2022 - Low of 77.2, High of 101.8
07/28/2022 - Low of 76.3, High of 101.5
07/29/2022 - Low of 76.1, High of 101.7, Rain 1.01
07/30/2022 - Low of 75.9, High of 99.9
07/31/2022 - Low of 76.5, High of 100.9
August 3, 2022 - Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham confirms a Shelbyville man drowned in Toledo Bend Reservoir yesterday, August 2, 2022.
The family of Don Jackson notified the Sheriff's Department around 4:30pm that they were concerned because they had not heard from him since going out on the water to check trot lines near East Hamilton Boat Ramp.
Due to treacherous waters, Game Wardens assisting the Sheriff's Department with the search needed a larger boat to handle the rough conditions and Micheal Andrews allowed emergency responders use of his boat for the search. According to weather data for the area, during the search and recovery time, wind speeds did rise to 14mph with gusts up to 20mph making law enforcements' job much more difficult. During the day, wind speeds ranged from 5-7mph.
After Jackson was located, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Marla Denby performed the inquest. No autopsy was requested.
Additional information is pending a release by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
August 2, 2022 - According to Texas A&M Forest Service, this fire is 100% contained and ended up involving 35 acres.
Center Fire Department and Forest Service personnel are actively fighting a forest fire off CR 1005 and CR 1024 on August 2, 2022.
The fire is suspected to have been started intentionally. There are bulldozers on scene plowing a fire break around the fire to prevent further spreading. Wind is also continuing to fuel the flames.
A contingent of firefighters from Wisconsin was also assisting in suppressing the fire.
(Update: 8:57pm) According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, as of 6:49pm the fire is 45 acres and is 15% contained. The Center Municipal Airport (KF17) windspeed is recorded at 9 mph in a southeasterly direction with gusts up to 16 mph.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the fire.
As of this report there is also now a reported fire on CR 1022; however, there are not additonal details at this time.
August 2, 2022 - The Jury summoned for Monday, August 8, 2022, for the 123rd Judicial District Court, the Honorable Leann K. Rafferty presiding, has been cancelled.
Anyone receiving a summons for that day is released from jury service until they receive a future summons.
August 1, 2022 - Timpson Volunteer Fire Department Issues June, July Activity Reports
For the month of June the TVFD had 22 calls.
- 10-50 (Auto crash) no injuries - 1
- 10-50 (Auto crash) with injuries - 3
- Brush fires - 3
- Grass fires - 2
- Police assist - 1
- Shed fire - 1
- Public service funeral escort - 3
- Ems assist - 4
- Controlled burn - 2
- Car fire - 1
- Smoke scare - 1
For the month of July the TVFD had 19 calls for the month.
- 10-50 (Auto crash) with injury - 4
- Ems assist - 2
- Timber/woods fire - 1
- Grass fire - 2
- Stove fire - 1
- Public service funeral escort - 2
- Down power line - 2
- Brush fire - 1
- Police assist - 2
- Smoke scare - 1
- Burn pile burn ban violation - 1
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department continues to accept applications for new members seeking to join the department and help your community.
TVFD can also be located on facebook by clicking this link.
August 1, 2022 - The final week of July closed with three calls for the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD). Here’s a brief rundown of all that occurred.
Starting late in the week with Thursday, July 28th, the JVFD was dispatched to County Road 3267 where a power pole had fallen on a car causing the car catch fire. The incident was discovered to be in the jurisdiction of a neighboring fire department, and therefore the JVFD were called off.
Next in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 30th, the EMR team was dispatched to a residence on Carroll Street for a patient having a high blood sugar attack.
Lastly on Sunday, July 31st, the Joaquin VFD responded to reports of an unresponsive man in his car located in the Subway parking lot. The patient was awake and speaking when Allegiance EMS and a Shelby County Sheriff deputy arrived on the scene.
That concludes the report for this week. Until next time, the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department hopes everyone has a great and safe week as we begin the month of August.
July 29, 2022 - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department has arrested a former substitute teacher for alleged improper relationship between educator and student, 2nd degree felony.
David Palacios, 22, of Center turned himself in and the Shelby County Jail log indicates he was arrested on July 20, 2022, and was released on the same day on a $5,000 bond set by Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Donna Hughes.
According to the arrest affidavit, while Palacios was employed by Center ISD he allegedly had intent to commit indecency with a child by communicating through electronic mail or text message such as Instagram or cellular phone text messages in a sexually explicit manner with a person who was enrolled in Center High School.
Shelby County Sheriff's Investigator David Haley determined Palacios was a substitute teacher at Center ISD from October 2020 until March 2021 and Investigator Haley learned that Palacios allegedly had inappropriate relationships with several female students, including physical contact, throughout his time as a substitute teacher.
July 27, 2022 - The Tenaha City Council met Monday, June 25, 2022, in a regular meeting as they continued to discuss several items previously considered.
The meeting is viewable on Shelby County Today via this article, and just previous to the start of the first video of three the council approved the minutes of the May meeting with all members in favor.
The meeting minutes from June 2022 were also approved; however, with three council members in favor of the approval and two against.
An item which appears may have a negative financial impact on the city was brought to light by a letter from the Texas Comptroller indicating the city owes $73,000 to the comptroller as the result of a business not in the city limits charging sales tax to its customers as though it were a business in the city limits.
Agenda for the meeting can be viewed by clicking here.
The video of the meeting was split into sections. View the following videos to watch the meeting following the approval of minutes from the May and June meetings:
Tenaha City Council July 25, 2022 - Video 1 of 3
Tenaha City Council July 25, 2022 - Video 2 of 3
Tenaha City Council July 25, 2022 - Video 3 of 3
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