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February 28, 2022 - The Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved a base rate increase for Southwestern Electric Power Co., a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP).
The PUCT approved the increase in base rates to recover SWEPCO’s investments in generation, transmission and distribution facilities since 2016, plus increased operations and maintenance costs to provide reliable and safe service to Texas customers. The Commission also approved cost recovery for the Dolet Hills Power Plant, which was retired Dec. 31, 2021.
The bill for a Texas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) will increase approximately $8.31 per month, or 8.48%. The increase will begin with bills issued March 1.
The overall increase includes new base rates, a surcharge to recover retroactive amounts for the base rate increase, and cost recovery for the retirement of the Dolet Hills Power Plant. By Texas law, new rates are retroactive to March 18, 2021. The surcharge for the retroactive amounts will be in effect for an estimated six months. The PUCT found the early retirement of Dolet Hills to be prudent and established cost recovery separate from base rates through a rate rider, estimated to be in effect through 2046, the previously PUCT-approved life for the plant.
For commercial, industrial, municipal and lighting rate classes, the new base rate impacts vary by rate class and usage characteristics.
“The base rate increase is necessary for SWEPCO to continue meeting customers’ expectations and to maintain and operate a strong, reliable electric system,” said SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Smoak.
“We recognize that customers are concerned about their energy costs, especially during the pandemic,” said Smoak. “We will continue to work with customers to help them stay on track with their electric bills.”
Base rates refer to the costs of building, maintaining and operating SWEPCO’s electric system, including power plants, transmission and distribution lines, and facilities to serve customers. Base rates do not include the fuel portion of the customer’s bill, which pays for fuel and purchased power and is passed through to customers with no profit to the company.
SWEPCO filed its request at the PUCT on Oct. 13, 2020. The PUCT decision authorized an annual increase of $41.6 million in its Nov. 18, 2021, order and Jan. 14, 2022, final order.
SWEPCO serves 187,500 customers in Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle.
February 26, 2022 - The Center Fire Department fought a house fire on the 100 block of Barbara Street in Center on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
According to the Center Fire Department, when they arrived sometime just after 12-noon the mobile home was on fire and the house was fully involved.
The fire fighters worked to try and extinguish the fire to prevent further spread; however, it was too far progressed and the house was a total loss. Gas meters at an adjoining house had to be shut off to shut off the gas to the house that was on fire.
A cause for the fire was not determined. Fire personnel returned to the station at 2pm.
February 24, 2022 - Visitation at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will resume Sunday, February 27.
Sunday visitation hours are from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday visitations hours are 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
To schedule a visitation for an inmate, you must call the SCSO at 936.598.5601 and schedule a time. Visitation slots are 20 minutes each and only one visitor is allowed per inmate.
February 24, 2022 - Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the arrest of Kalem Becks, 29, of Logansport, LA.
On July 24, 2021, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence off 87 N in Center in regards to an RV fire. Further investigation of the scene led Investigator David Haley to believe that the RV was intentionally set on fire.
Becks was arrested on February 23, 2022 for an outstanding warrant for Arson (F-2). Becks was arraigned by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, and he is currently housed at the Shelby County jail on a $50,000 bond.
February 24, 2022 - The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division initiated an investigation on February 1, 2022 that recently resulted in the recovery of stolen property.
Investigator Chad Hooper recovered stolen property including a Polaris Ranger 150 and a 16-foot trailer that were stolen from a property located on FM 138 in Center. On February 16, 2022, the trailer was located on the side of an oil pad location off CR 1274 in Center. Investigator Hooper worked restlessly and followed leads that led to the recovery of the Polaris Ranger in an undisclosed area on February 19, 2022. The trailer and ranger have been returned to the owners.
(From left:): Investigator Chad Hooper, Megan Adkinson, owner, and Deputy Aaron Jones.
“This is the type of outcome we strive for in all theft cases that we work,” stated Shelby County Sheriff Kevin W. Windham. “I could not be more grateful for our patrol deputies who are proactive in assisting the department with anything and everything that is asked.”
The SCSO extends a special thank you to the public for the tips and information which led to this recovery.
Leah Chase, SCSO Public Relations
February 24, 2022 – A school zone is being extended in Shelby County after approval by the Texas Transportation Commission in December.
Work will begin to extend a 35 mile per hour school zone speed limit southward on SH 87 in Shelbyville. The speed limit will remain 35 mph for .7 miles then go to 60 mph for .2 miles before returning to 70 mph.
The school zone flasher will be set indicating the longer school zone. Once flashers are set, the “End School Zone” signage will be moved to indicate the change. Enforcement begins once work is completed and signs are set.
Motorists should stay alert as these changes are made. Follow all traffic control as work is done and obey all signage.
February 24, 2022 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system on February 21, 2022, 2100005 to issue a Boil Water Notice 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 February 24, 2022.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 21, 2022 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Choice water system ID# 2100005 to notify customers that were without water 02/21/2022 south of 2140 on 96, Spanns Chapel area( anyone without water) 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 Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
February 23, 2022 - Commissioner Tom Bellmyer reported County Road 4210 has now been re-opened to traffic as of February 23, 2022.
February 9, 2022 - County Road 4210 will be closed for bridge replacement at the Crump property, starting Monday, February 14 and is scheduled to reopen in 10 days. The road can be accessed on either end up to that point.
February 22, 2022 - State Loop 500 near Latham Street was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, February 16, 2022, in Center.
According to Center Police Sergeant Andrew Williams, at 2:10pm a white 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Caitlyn Campbell, 23, of Shelbyville was entering Loop 500 from Latham Street turning left and failed to yield right of way to a blue 2000 Ford Ranger driven by Louis Morales Zavalla, 51, of Center which was traveling east. As a result the Ford struck the driver's side of the Chevrolet causing major damage to both vehicles.
The Ford and the Chevrolet came to rest on the westbound side off the roadway.
No injuries were reported of Campbell and minor injuries to Zavalla.
No citations were reported following the crash.
February 22, 2022 - Shelbyville ISD Additional School Threat
Unfortunately a new threat has been sent out this morning threatening the school and students and staff. Please be informed and assured that precautionary measures are in place to protect everyone.
Update - The person responsible for the threats which were sent out earlier today has been identified by school officials and law enforcement. Disciplinary measures have been taken effective immediately. To ensure the safety and security of all, additional measures will still be in place for tomorrow. Thank you for all those involved in keeping our school and community safe, especially our local law enforcement agencies.
February 21, 2022 - Shelbyville ISD has been made aware of a threatening message going around on social media telling students to stay home tomorrow February 22, stating that the school would be “shotup”. Some other schools in the surrounding area have received similar threats.
The security of our students and personnel are very important and all threats are taken seriously. SISD and Shelby County police are investigating the threat. Shelbyville ISD will hold school Tuesday with additional security personnel present and necessary precautions in place.
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