The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
January 8, 2025 - Winter storm warnings continue to be in place for areas around Shelby County, and according to the National Weather Service temperatures are still projected to reach 26 degrees with chance of precipitation at 80% on Thursday.
As of 9:42pm, Shelby County Today has not received any alerts indicating school delays; however, this information will be updated should such circumstances be reported.
Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution when traveling as the development of ice on the roadways is very possible.
January 8, 2025 - U.S. Highway 59 outside of Tenaha near CR 4620 was the scene of an 18-wheeler rollover crash on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Emergency responders with the Tenaha Police Department and Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash to assist those involved.
According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation by DPS State Troopers indicates that at approximately 11:32am, a white 2025 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer driven by Michael Graham, 55, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was traveling north. It is reported that the truck suffered a blow out on its rear tire, which caused the driver to lose control and travel off the road to the right, where the trailer overturned.
Graham was not injured, and according to DPS no further information is available.
January 8, 2025 - Firefighters responded to a fully involved house fire on the 300 block of CR 2816 Friday, December 3, 2025.
When firemen arrived at the scene after 4:50pm, the mobile home had already burned to the ground. Shelbyville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) and Center Fire Department firefighters attacked the flames with water to both extinguish the flames and to prevent further spread.
The structure was a total loss due to the fire. The cause was not determined at the time.
The resident, Betty Denby, was unharmed and made it out of the house before the entire house was engulfed in flames.
On scene, Shelbyville VFD had two brush trucks, an engine, two tankers and Center Fire Department’s tanker.
The firefighters left the scene at 6:50pm.
Shelbyville VFD was dispatched to another fire on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the 7000 block of U.S. Highway 87 South just past CR 2110 at 4:18pm for a house fire.
According to the Shelbyville VFD, firefighters were able to stop the fire quickly and it was determined the cause of the fire was due to a candle left burning.
Thermal temperature measurements were taken by the fire department and it was confirmed the fire was out.
Shelbyville VFD was dispatched once again to the same location at 1:52am on Sunday, January 5, 2025; however, this time the mobile home was burned to the ground.
On scene, the fire department had an engine, two brush trucks and one tanker. Center Fire Department was also on scene to assist.
Firefighters worked on extinguishing the fire until 6:38am when they returned to the station.
January 8, 2025 - Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on Texas’ ongoing response to severe winter weather impacting large portions of the state following a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin. Texans across the state should prepare for below freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow through the next few days.
“The lives of our fellow Texans are by far the most important priority,” said Governor Abbott. “We are dealing with very cold and below-freezing temperatures that will remain in place across much of the state, especially in the northern half of Texas. Texans are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or visit tdem.texas.gov/warm and monitor local media outlets for their closest warming center. To help Texans stay safe and warm, I deployed emergency response resources from more than a dozen agencies across the state of Texas. I urge Texans to be careful and cautious to protect yourself and your life while driving on the road in these conditions. I want to thank all the emergency first responders who are engaged at the state and local levels. Their role and service are more critical now than almost any other time as we work to protect our fellow Texans.”
Watch the Governor's full press conference here.
Governor Abbott was joined at the press conference by Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director Brian Barth, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas, and Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson.
During the live update, the Governor noted that freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow will begin to push into West Texas and continue to spread eastward, impacting West, Central, North, and Northeast Texas through Friday. The Governor urged Texans to avoid traveling on roadways due to snow and ice accumulations that may impact the state, especially across North and Northeast Texas and West Texas through the Big Country, Concho Valley, and the Northern Hill Country. Governor Abbott also advised Texans to have contact information for their local power provider in the event of any localized power outages. Additionally, Governor Abbott encouraged Texans to remain weather-aware, avoid going outside in freezing temperatures, and utilize one of the more than 300 warming centers across the state to help stay warm.
Yesterday, Governor Abbott directed TDEM to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response). The Governor also directed TDEM earlier this week to activate state emergency response resources in anticipation of severe winter weather.
The State of Texas has over 3,400 state personnel, over 1,860 vehicles and equipment assets deployed, and over 21 state agencies responding to this winter weather across Texas.
Texans are encouraged to visit the TDEM Disaster Portal for winter weather information. Texans can also locate winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, find warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.
Boil Water Notice Rescinded Effective January 3
January 6, 2025 - On December 25, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the Choice public water system, 2100005 to Issue a Boll 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 January 3, 2025.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact, Matt Di Verdi 936-591-4346.
December 28, 2024 - Due to a loss of pressure from a broken main, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Choice Water system, ID# 2100005 to notify All customers that were without water December 25, 2024 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
January 5, 2025 - Tornado Watch 1 is in effect until 6pm CST for the following locations.
Texas counties included are: Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Liberty, Marion, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler and Walker.
January 2, 2025 - The Weather Forecast Office, Shreveport, Louisiana issued January 2, 2025 a severe weather threat this weekend with a storm system that may bring the threat of strong to severe storms across part of the Four State Region.
The severe weather outlook for Sunday, January 5:
- There is a chance (15%) of Severe Thunderstorms Sunday afternoon, leading into the late afternoon and evening.
- Given that this is a forecast four days in advance, there still remains some uncertainty on specifics. Stay tuned for future forecast updates.
Still In Question:
- Specific Timing of Storms, and Intensity
- Exact Rain Amounts
Stay tuned for the latest through the weekend! Be sure to monitor the forecast through the end of the week and into the weekend for updates and adjustments.
January 2, 2025 – Crews are scheduled to begin pre-treatment on area roads and bridges throughout the Lufkin District at 7 am Friday morning, ahead of weekend rainfall that could freeze on the roads Sunday night.
A brine treatment will be applied to overpasses, major structures and bridges, and major roadways through the district that will discourage any precipitation from freezing and sticking to the pavement. Crews will continue to pre-treat with brine on Saturday, if needed. Crews will also begin monitoring major roadways and bridges at 7 pm Sunday night and re-apply brine as needed.
Motorists are urged to reduce speed near this moving work zone as the brine treatment is applied.
“We will begin treatment as a precaution to protect motorists ahead of the rain predicted on Sunday and ahead of the freezing temperatures predicted Sunday night into Monday morning,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We advise motorists to be extra cautious and alert Monday morning. Watch for icy patches and reduce speed, especially on rural roadways.”
The Lufkin District will continue to monitor the National Weather Service for updates and potential winter weather conditions throughout the nine-county district. Safety of the traveling public is priority and crews will continue to work to prepare and respond to any predicted winter weather conditions.
January 2, 2025 - A swearing in ceremony of county officials was held at the Shelby County courthouse on January 2, 2025, in the 2nd floor courtroom.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison first administered oaths of office to John Price, County Attorney; and Debora Riley, Tax Assessor/Collector.
After they each took their oaths Karren Price, 123rd Judicial District Attorney; and LeAnn K. Rafferty, 123rd Judicial District Judge; each administered oaths of office to one another.
The audience of the event applauded all who were newly sworn in.
January 2, 2024 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department responded to the first structure fire of the year at residential address in the city limits on U.S. Highway 84E t approximately 5:45am on January 2. The fire occurred in a small portable building located behind a primary residence.
Upon arrival at the scene with Engine 1 and Service 1, firefighters confirmed that all occupants of the main residence and surrounding area were safely evacuated. The portable building was already fully engulfed in flames, and the structure had collapsed to the ground due to the rapid spread of the fire.
Firefighters immediately worked to extinguish the blaze, containing it to the portable structure and preventing it from spreading to the nearby home or other properties. Despite the swift and effective response, the building was a total loss.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported during the incident.
We are grateful that no one was harmed during this fire, and we appreciate the cooperation of the occupants and neighbors in ensuring their safety. Our team responded quickly and worked diligently to control the situation.
The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department reminds the community to prioritize fire safety, especially during the winter months when fire risks can increase. Residents are encouraged to check smoke alarms, maintain heating equipment, be cautious when using space heaters, and ensure fire extinguishers are accessible.
Pages
