The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
July 29, 2021 - It has come to Joaquin ISD's attention that two local businesses have received phone calls requesting donations from an 800 number with the caller ID showing up as Joaquin High School. Please be advised that Joaquin ISD is not currently soliciting donations by phone.
July 28, 2021 - A plea agreement has been made in two cases against Randa Askew McMahon who was indicted November 8, 2018 for multiple offenses involving a child.
The cases were heard before LeAnn Kay Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Court Judge, and originally six indictments were made against McMahon and they were two counts of injury to a child, first degree felony; two counts of unlawful restraint, state jail felony; and two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, state jail felony.
McMahon was represented by attorney John Heath, Jr. and the state was represented by Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney. The plea agreements were filed July 21, 2021, on two of the six charges both for injury to a child, first degree felony.
As per the plea agreements, McMahon agreed to six years deferred adjudication probation, a fine of $3,000, court costs of $300, 200 hours of community service to run concurrent with her probation. Also included in the plea agreement on the two cases, the other four cases were dismissed and she is to have no contact with the victim in the case or the victim's guardian.
McMahon is to submit a DNA sample to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the purpose of a DNA record.
The range of punishment for McMahon, should she not be on probation, would be five to 99 years or life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, institutional division and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
At this time the case against Matthew McMahon regarding offenses against the same child remains open.
Related Articles:
- Two Arrested on Alleged Child Abuse Charges (June 5, 2017)
- Shelby County Couple Accused of Child Abuse Receive Quick Release Following Bond Reduction (June 16, 2017)
- Shelby County Couple Previously Arrested on Child Abuse Case Receive Additional Charges (July 19, 2017)
- McMahon's File Writs of Habeas Corpus, Receive Bond Reduction (July 20, 2017)
- Jury Terminates Parental Rights of Shelbyville Couple Accused of Placing Child in Dog Crate (June 6, 2018)
TxDSHS Covid-19 Dashboard's Trends Graphs for Texas narrowed to July 2021 on new cases and June & July 2021 on fatalities. Click for larger image.
State and County numbers trending upwards.
July 28, 2021 - According to the Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard, Shelby County's Covid-19 new cases are trending upward along with the statewide numbers. Today, the state reported 10,086 new confirmed cases and 2,811 new probable cases; the highest numbers Texas has seen since February.
Since July 9, 2021, the county has seen a slow growth in new cases after a large increase the first week in July was reported. During the time from July 9 to July 26, the number of active cases remained in the teens or lower with a low of 7 active cases reported on July 18th and July 19th.
However, over the past 2 days, July 27 and July 28, the number of new cases rose by the same amount and active cases have doubled.
The estimated number of active cases is currently 28 which is the highest active cases count since April 25th.
July 28th (3:30pm) Numbers: (changes since July 26)
Total Confirmed Cases - 1,232 (9 new)
Total Probable Cases - 825 (6 new)
Total Fatalities - 73 (1 new)
Total Estimated Active Cases - 28
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,957 (1 new)
July 26th (11:40am) Numbers: (changes since July 8)
Total Confirmed Cases - 1,223 (9 new)
Total Probable Cases - 819 (6 new)
Total Fatalities - 72
Total Estimated Active Cases - 14
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,956 (12 new)
July 8th (3:25pm) Numbers: (changes since June 30)
Total Confirmed Cases - 1,214 (71 new)
Total Probable Cases - 813 (32 new)
Total Fatalities - 72 (1 new)
Total Estimated Active Cases - 11
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,944 (105 new)
July numbers so far are much less than they were in June. There are only 3 days of reporting left in July.
Reported July 2021 Numbers as of July 28th:
Total New Confirmed Cases - 89
Total New Probable Cases - 44
Total New Fatalities - 2
Total New Estimated Recovered - 118
Reported June 2021 Numbers:
Total New Confirmed Cases - 197
Total New Probable Cases - 20
Total New Fatalities - 3
Total New Estimated Recovered - 217
Editor's note: When the change in Covid-19 numbers is small, the Covid-19 report is delayed until a substantial increase or a new death is reported. Otherwise, stats will at least be reported monthly.
July 26, 2021 - The funeral of former Shelby County Judge Rick Campbell was held Friday, July 23, 2021, at First Baptist Church Center following which a large funeral procession traveled to Oaklawn Cemetery on State Highway 7 East where he was laid to rest.
Campbell was County Judge beginning July 24, 2009, when he was appointed by Commissioners' Court following the death of then County Judge John Tomlin. Judge Campbell then held office until 2014.
Community and civic outreach was extensively demonstrated and obviously important to Campbell as the list of organizations he was involved in is long. He was also a Center Volunteer Fireman for 27 years and several Shelby County fire departments honored Campbell by participating in his funeral procession.
Campbell will be sorely missed. SCT expresses our deepest condolences to the Campbell family during their time of grief.
Click here to view his obituary
July 23, 2021 - On July 21, 2021, the Texas Commission On Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 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 July 23, 2021.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi 936-591-1205.
July 22, 2021 - 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 07/21/2021 on Hwy 96 S (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 Vince Di Verdi 936-591-1205
July 22, 2021 - The Officials of Shelby County, Shelby County Commissioners’ Court, and Shelby County Employees offer their sincere condolences, thoughts, and prayers to former County Judge Rick L. Campbell’s family and friends. Shelby County has lost a favored son. Judge Campbell was a true ambassador for Shelby County, letting everyone he came in contact with know where he was from and that it was the greatest place on earth to live and raise a family. His enthusiasm and smile were contagious. His philanthropic efforts helped many of Shelby County’s youth attend college. Judge Campbell’s giving nature will always be remembered, and he will forever be in our hearts.
Editor's Note: The photo was taken by Shelby County Today during former Judge Rick Campbell's term.
July 22, 2021 - Sheriff Kevin Windham explained his goal during the July 21, Commissioners' Court meeting to install GPS trackers on all of the Sheriff's Department patrol units through a company called Samsara.
According to Sheriff Windham, the annual fee for the service is $2,543.80 at a monthly cost of $25 and change per vehicle, the second payment for the service on the second year will be $2,399.80.
"One of our concerns of course is safety, if something was to happen then we can locate you know, where our unit is at," said Sheriff Windham.
Sheriff Windham described how the patrol units can be located in real time to see their exact location, helping other officers to respond and assist an officer in need more quickly and efficiently without having to determine their location.
"Not only is it a safety issue, but it's also an issue that ensures that our patrol deputies are doing what they are supposed to be doing," said Sheriff Windham. "I want to make sure that our entire county is covered. I don't want them to get into a routine of just staying in one certain area over and over."
This new GPS system will allow for Sheriff's Department administration to review deputy patrolling activities. The Sheriff's Department has been utilizing two of the GPS units for over two months to test them, and that has demonstrated the value of the technology.
Commissioner Stevie Smith asked if the information could be viewed on a smartphone app, and Lt. Tanner Peace confirmed that is an available option, which could even be available to officers.
"It's come in fairly handy because, you know with the radios still down, if they're trying to get to a disturbance call one of them can call dispatch because dispatch has access to the GPS map as well and say, 'hey, how far am I from this person's location,'" said Lt. Peace.
Lt. Peace also stated it helps keep a detailed log of maintenance on the vehicle including when the engine is running, idle, mileage, gasoline, speed, and barometric pressure around the vehicle.
Commissioner Smith asked about the security of this system and if unwanted individuals could gain access. Lt. Peace and Sheriff Windham said they couldn't and would have to be given access to the website by an administrator.
Sheriff Windham confirmed with Commissioner Roscoe McSwain the cost under the current budget could be absorbed by his department's budget.
A motion carried to authorize the payment of $2,543.80 for the first year of the GPS units with Samsara.
Abe Benavides of McCall, Parkhurst & Horton LLP addressed the court about financing by the New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation of health facilities located within Shelby County.
He explained the same resolution was before the court and approved in February of 2020; however, that transaction was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"A non-profit entity is attempting to acquire nursing homes throughout Texas and Oklahoma, one of those nursing homes is located here in Center," said Benavides. "The New Hope entity is a conduit issuer, so they issue bonds on behalf of the non-profit entity. Part of that process is to get local approvals from a governmental entity, such as a commissioners' court with jurisdiction over where the nursing home is located."
Benavides stated they have to go through the same process for all 28 facilities, including the unnamed facility in Shelby County. He stated the approval is for the purposes of the Internal Revenue Service code to qualify the bonds as tax exempt.
"Those are bonds of the bar where the nursing home operator will be obligated for those bonds. Shelby County will not have any obligation with respect to the bonds or the facility. The approval today is just for the purposes of authorizing, letting them move forward to issue the bonds on a tax exempt basis," said Benavides.
A motion carried to approve the resolution approving financing by the New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation of Health Facilities located within Shelby County.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current Payroll. 3. GPS systems for patrol vehicles for the Shelby County Sheriffs Office. 4. Ratify resolution appointing County Treasurer Ann Blackwell and County Auditor Clint Porterfield as authorized signers for CD and MM accounts with First National Bank Wichita Falls. 5. Resolution approving the financing by the New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation of Health Facilities located within Shelby County. 6. $659 anonymous donation to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for medication disposal unit.
The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
July 22, 2021 - On July 20, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, 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.
N.E.W. Water Supply 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. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of February 25, 2021.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.
Effective July 20, 2021 Until Further Notice
July 20, 2021 - Due to a break in the line at Plant 4, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS# 2030034 to notify all customers in the Sexton Community, Hwy 87, FM 353, and FM 1279 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 N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
July 21, 2021 - AT&T has reported an outage in the Shelby County area and has announced a projected restoral of 6-7 hours.
Anyone calling the Shelby County Today office at this time will receive a message stating, "your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again."
Should you need to call Shelby County Today, you can alternately call 936-332-4845 or contact us through email.
This outage is not effecting our ability to update Shelby County Today.
July 21, 2021 - On July 19, 2021, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Five Way Public Water System, #2100008, 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 July 21, 2021.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Vince Di Verdi 936-591-1205.
July 19, 2021 - Due to a broken water main the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Five Way Water system, ID# 2100008 to notify customers that were without water 07/17/2021 on FM 699 and all of highway 7 E, all side roads (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 Vince Di Verdi 936-591-1205
Pages
