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March 17, 2026 - Timpson St. will be closed between Margo St. and Focused Care on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 to finish road repairs from a water leak, Focused care will have access from the Hurst street side.
March 17, 2026 - On March 17, 2026 at 6am, Timpson St, will be closed to thru traffic between Margo St. and Focused Care.
Due to a water line break, there will be access to Focus Care from Hurst St, traffic coming from Tenaha St. will have to detour down Margo St. Please use caution in this area.
A cold airmass will settle over the region tonight, bringing widespread freezing temperatures by Tuesday morning. Consider taking steps to protect any early season sensitive vegetation.
March 16, 2026 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, Louisiana issued a Freeze Warning at 11:29am March 16, 2026 for Shelby County and surrounding area.
The freeze warning remains in effect from midnight tonight to 9am Tuesday and a wind advisory remains in effect until 7pm this evening.
For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 expected for portions of south central and southwest Arkansas, north central and northwest Louisiana, and east and northeast Texas.
For the Wind Advisory, until 7pm this evening. For the Freeze Warning, from midnight tonight to 9am Tuesday. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
Expect calming winds and mostly clear skies tonight to yield unseasonably cold temperatures. Lows by daybreak will mainly range from 25 to 30 degrees, with isolated colder amounts likely north of Interstate Twenty. A few daily record lows cannot be ruled out.
March 16, 2026 - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Sandhill public water system, 2100013, to issue a Boil Water Notice on March 10, 2026, 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 3-16-2026.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
March 10, 2026 - Due to line breaks from spectrum boring crews, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Sandhill public water system to notify all customers 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 Alison Rhone at 936-332-4439.
March 16, 2026 - Farmers State Bank is alerting the public, and warning of an increased prevalence of large counterfeit bills with three discovered at their Center location in less than a week's time, as well as at their Carthage location.
The bank reports these are not fully counterfeit bills, as they will not appear to be counterfeit when a detection pen is used on them which suggests they are real bills of a smaller denomination.
So far, the bills have appeared the same and are of "Series 1983" and the serial number has been exactly the same, starting with an "I".
Although the bills have been caught by the bank each time, Farmers State Bank is recommending increased awareness and scrutiny on the behalf of individuals and businesses.
For further information and to report counterfeit money, click here.
Contact local law enforcement to report counterfeit currency 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.
March 15, 2026 - Tornado Watch 53 is in effect until 9pm CDT for the following locations in Texas.
Texas counties included are: Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Upshur and Wood.
March 13, 2026 - U.S. Highway 59 in Nacogdoches was the scene of a fatal crash incident March 11, 2026, that resulted in the death of a Timpson man.
The location of the incident was near Farm-to-Market Road 941 (Appleby Sand Road).
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 1:30pm, a Chevrolet pickup driven by Stephen Foster, 45, of Timpson was traveling north, while a Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer was traveling south. It is reported that during a period of rainfall, the Chevrolet hydroplaned into the southbound lane and was struck by the Freightliner.
Foster was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace.
The driver of the Freightliner, identified as a 52-year-old female of Huntsville, and one passenger, a 46-year-old male, were both transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there is no further information available.
As of this report, the identities of the driver and passenger of the Freightliner have not been released by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Foster was a candidate for the Timpson City Council upcoming election in May and due to the timeframe and state law, his name will be on the ballot.
March 11, 2026 - The Shelby County Commissioners voted during their March 11, 2026, meeting to lift the burn ban that was put in place on February 25, 2026, by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison.
Commissioner Roscoe McSwain moved to lift the burn ban effective March 11, 2026, and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer seconded his motion. The motion carried with all in favor.
Related article:
County Judge Issues Declaration of Disaster, Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning
March 9, 2026 - State Highway 87 South approximately two miles south of Lout Town is the scene of a house across the roadway March 9, 2026.
A mobile home that was being transported north as of sometime before 2pm is across both traffic lanes after it appears it left the roadway to the right before coming to rest back in the roadway. The crew hauling it is working to elevate the house and put it back on blocks as of 2:30pm.
Traffic is being diverted partially onto the southbound shoulder, and some are turning around depending on their circumstances, whether it be a passenger vehicle or truck tractor.
Texas Department of Public Safety, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department personnel are assisting at the scene.
March 5, 2026 - On Friday, March 6, 2026 Church Street between Tenaha Street and Porter Street will be closed to finish up repairs on sewer line. Please remove all vehicles from street and use caution in this area.
March 4, 2026 - On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Church Street between Tenaha Street and Porter Street will be closed to make repairs on a sewer line. Please use caution around this area.
March 4, 2026 - The county burn ban, put in place February 25, 2026, was ratified during the Wednesday, March 4, 2026, meeting if the Shelby County Commissioners' Court.
During discussion it was agreed by the commissioners that conditions remain necessary for the ban to remain in place, and that they would revisit the issue again at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Judge Harbison commented on the deficient weather outlook for the coming week.
"If you notice our rain chances have went down every day. Saturday's the only day we're having anything over 10%," said Judge Harbison.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to ratify the burn ban to keep it in effect, Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
An executive session was held during the meeting from 9:50am until 11:09am and those whose presence was required of the commissioners included John Price, County Attorney; John Pope, Constable Precinct 5; Rowdy Green; and LeAnn K. Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge.
After the commissioners returned to open session, it was revealed that Rowdy Green would be appointed to the position of Precinct 4 Constable recently vacated by Taylor Fanguy on February 7, 2026.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved for Green to be appointed Precinct 4 Constable and for him to be sworn in during the March 11, 2026, Commissioners' Court Meeting. Commissioner Roscoe McSwain seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
It was also announced that John Pope, Precinct 5 Constable, will now have a deputy constable and he was given permission to hire the individual, who was not named during the meeting.
Commissioner Bellmyer announced that the commissioners reviewed and approved Pope's deputy position candidate during executive session.
"I think you're wanting to put him in employment starting Monday," Said Commissioner Bellmyer.
He then reiterated to Pope that his deputy nominee was approved.
Constable Pope agreed that hopefully he would have him working by then, depending on TCOLE.
County Attorney Price indicated that a motion was not required regarding the deputy constable position.
The details of Judge Rafferty's meeting with the commissioners wasn't publicly shared at the time of the meeting.
Representatives of the American Red Cross were present during the meeting as the commissioners considered a proclamation to declare March as American Red Cross Month.
"I'm Kimberly Cline, executive director for our Southeast Deep East Chapter, which we cover 17 counties. You guys are our most northern county that we cover and we go all the way down to the coast in our Texas Gulf Coast region," said Cline. "I do very much appreciate you putting this proclamation to be signed because it gives our volunteers the honor, recognition that they deserve for their selfless giving every day."
Cline stated that the American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes on the national level and she said that is accomplished in part through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors volunteer program.
"We thank you guys for such an amazing partnership and everything. You know this last winter weather really proved a lot, and this community I'm so thankful for because it came together very quickly, overnight actually."
Cline was accompanied by two volunteers including Bob Walsh who shared that he has been volunteering since 2017 with the American Red Cross and Corliss Bonner, a volunteer since 2025, also of Nacogdoches.
The commissioners approved the proclamation with first a motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to declare March American Red Cross Month and a second by Commissioner McSwain. The motion carried with all in favor.
Casey Anderson, Shelby County Commissioner's Secretary, explained to the court about designating Deep East Texas Council Of Governments (DETCOG), on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online for 911 addressing.
"DETCOG has basically come up with two different resources, the first one, is an address verification letter which has to be voted on by the board," said Anderson. "The other one is where they can actually go online, put the coordinates in and send me a request for an address. So nothing's really going to change. It's just going to give people another option."
Commissioner McSwain moved to designate DETCOG, on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online. Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried.
The commissioners considered allowing TxDOT to close a section of FM 139 in Paul's Creek to replace an existing bridge.
"This is a troublesome close because [FM] 139 is a well-traveled road it gets the people on the Joaquin side to the Huxley side and it gets the people from the Huxley side to the Joaquin side," said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison commented that if TxDOT totally closes that bridge, the school bus from Joaquin will have to go 23 miles out of the way to carry kids home and the same for Shelbyville if they have to travel through that area with students. According to Judge Harbison, the project isn't scheduled until 2029.
"I don't know that we approve this closure right now, I think we need more discussion and if TxDOT doesn't agree we'll probably have to get the schools involved," said Judge Harbison.
Commissioner Metcalf moved to not close the road, which was followed by a second from Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried with all in favor.
Establishing the value of TxDOT surplus riprap contributed to all precincts of the County was discussed by the commissioners and Judge Harbison sought further clarification on the item.
"About a year ago when when Casey [Anderson] and I were working on some of my FEMA activity, I had a quite a bit of riprap that I used on one of my projects that had been donated and I got approval it was a donation," said Commissioner Bellmyer. "I tried to apply for it, and FEMA denied me because the commissioner's court had never established a value of a donation. I reached out to Jim Allison [General Counsel of the County Judges and Commissioners] to ask if for an interpretation. He said, 'yes, any time that you get a donation like that, you should have court establish a value to it.'"
Bellmyer stated that TxDOT established a value at $20 a cubic yard and he wanted to make it public record that if in the future a value to it would be needed, it's recorded.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to that the surplus riprap donated from TxDOT be evaluated at $20 a cubic yard. Commissioner Metcalf seconded the motion and it carried with all in favor.
During Commissioners' Court Reports Commissioner McSwain announced that the auction for his Peterbilt Truck ended and the truck sold for $30,500.
The meeting adjourned at 11:13.
American Red Cross Month, 2026 Proclamation:
In March, we celebrate American Red Cross Month by honoring our neighbors who make its humanitarian mission possible in Shelby County. Every day, their acts of kindness change lives, bringing relief, comfort and hope when help can't wait. This compassionate spirit runs deep in our community, just as it has for 145 years through the American Red Cross.
Today, those who serve with the American Red Cross light the way during emergencies - whether it's delivering shelter, food and comfort after disasters; providing a safe, lifesaving blood supply for patients facing conditions like cancer treatments, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries; assisting military members, veterans and their families with 24/7 global support; or empowering individuals with skills like first aid and CPR that save lives.
These collective efforts are a powerful reminder that the strength of our community lies in our shared commitment to one another. As we mark Red Cross Month, let's celebrate our local heroes and resolve to continue lifting each other up, so no one faces an emergency alone
Now, Therefore We Commissioners Court of Shelby County by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Shelby County and Texas do hereby proclaim March 2026 as Red Cross Month. I encourage all citizens of Shelby County to reach out and support its humanitarian mission.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Shelby County Texas
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Ratify the current Burn Ban. 3. Proclamation declaring the month of March as American Red Cross Month. 4. Designate DETCOG, on behalf of Shelby County, to verify addresses online. 5. Not to allow TxDOT to close a section of FM 139 at Paul’s Creek to replace the existing bridge. 6. Establish the value of TXDOT surplus rip contributed to all precincts of the County at $20 a cubic foot. 7. Appoint Rowdy Green to Constable Precinct 4. 8. Adjourn 11:13am.
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