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Update: The Shelby County Office of Emergency Management received an additional update on confirmed cases today from TxDSHS of 11 more bringing the total to 131 COVID-19 cases in the county.
The statistics for the newly reported cases are 8 new (92 total) in the 75935 zip code, 2 new (13 total) in the 75975 zip code, and 1 new (13 total) in the 75974 zip code. For age groups, the newly added cases were 3 new (5 total) in the ages 1-20 group, 3 new (38 total) in the ages 21-40 group, 3 new (53 total) in the ages 41-60 group, 1 new (28 total) in the 61-80 group, and 1 new (4 total) in the 81-100 group.
May 4, 2020 - Shelby County Office of Emergency Management was notified by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on April 30th of 3 more positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 and on May 1st, 8 more positive cases bringing the total cumulative case count for Shelby County to 120.
DSHS notified us of 2 more recoveries on May 1st bringing the total recoveries to 20. Also reported to us on May 1st was one more death (*bringing the total of deaths to 2 reported by TxDSHS to the local Emergency Management. The TxDSHS website reports 4 deaths in Shelby County.)
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages: (New cases since April 30th report)
Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 84 (7 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 5
Shelbyville (75973) - 8 (1 new)
Tenaha (75974) - 12 (1 new)
Timpson (75975) - 11 (2 new)
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20 - 2 case
Ages 21 to 40 - 35 cases (5 new)
Ages 41 to 60 - 50 cases (4 new), 1 death
Ages 61 to 80 - 27 cases (1 new), 1 death (New)
Ages 81 to 100 - 3 cases
Age unknown - 3 cases
May 4, 2020 - U.S. Highway 59 (U.S. 59) just two miles west of Tenaha was the scene where a vehicle burst into flames Sunday, May 3, 2020.
Emergency personnel were requested to the scene where it was reported a vehicle was in flames and had exploded.
As fire presonnel with the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department extinguished the flaming car, Shelby County Sheriff's Department deputies diverted traffic at the scene and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the incident.
According to Texas DPS Trooper Jesse Fountain, at 12:40pm DPS Troopers responded to a car on fire on U.S. 59 and upon arriving on scene, the vehicle was on the northbound shoulder where it had burned and was smoking.
Jennifer Truitt, 38, of Mt. Enterprise was driving a tan 2001 Toyota Solara when she filled up with fuel in Timpson and continued traveling northbound before hearing a loud pop and then seeing smoke and flames. Once Truitt brought the vehicle to a stop, she and her passengers Katelynn Nottingham, 18, and a 15-year-old passenger exited the vehicle promptly.
Another driver traveling behind Truitt knew her and had reached into the vehicle to grab something out and received minor burns.
Ambulance personnel were on scene and no one required transport from the scene for injury.
April 30, 2020 - Starting on Monday, May 4, 2020 the courthouse will be closed during the lunch hour from 12-noon until 1pm, the hours of business will be 8am until 12-noon/reopen at 1pm until 4:30am.
April 28, 2020 - The Shelby County Courthouse will reopen to the public to a certain degree on Monday, May 4, 2020 at 8am. The hours will return to normal working hours which are 8am until 4:30pm.
The first floor of the courthouse will be open but subject to restrictions on the number of people allowed in at one time.
The second and third floor will have limited access; we continue to encourage you to call before you come to schedule an appointment with whichever office you need.
You are also encouraged to wear a mask for you own protection as well as ours.
Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation during this trying time.
County Judge Allison Harbison
Related article:
County Judge Says Plans Ongoing for Re-Opening of Courthouse Monday
April 30, 2020 - FM 2026 at the intersection of CR 1044 was the scene of a three-vehicle collision Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies converged on the scene and diverted traffic away from the crash until the investigation by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was completed.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Jesse Fountain, at 3:35pm a grey 2006 BMW driven by Stephany Caporali, 19, of Center was northbound on FM 2026 when she was attempting to turn left onto CR 1044.
At that time a tan Toyota Tundra pickup truck driven by Michael David Masteron, 30, of Center was southbound and struck the BMW when it traveled into his lane.
Upon being struck, the BMW spun around and side-swiped a black 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Manuel Mendoza, 28, of Center which was on CR 1044.
No injuries were initially reported at the scene, Caporali and her 14-year-old passenger were later taken by private vehicle to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department.
No injuries were reported of any of the others drivers or Masterson's three minor passengers age 11, 4, and 2.
Caporali was issued citations for fail to yield right of way to approaching traffic, and no driver's license.
April 30, 2020 - Shelby County Office of Emergency Management was notified by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on April 29th of 6 more positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 bringing the total cumulative case count for Shelby County to 109.
DSHS notified us of 2 more recoveries on April 30th bringing the total recoveries to 18.
Breakdown of cumulative cases by zip code and ages:
Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 77 (4 new)
Joaquin (75954) - 5
Shelbyville (75973) - 7 (1 new)
Tenaha (75974) - 11 (1 new)
Timpson (75975) - 9
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20 - 1 case
Ages 21 to 40 - 30 cases (1 new)
Ages 41 to 60 - 46 cases (5 new), 1 death
Ages 61 to 80 - 26 cases
Ages 81 to 100 - 3 cases
Age unknown - 3 cases
April 29, 2020 - Center Fire Department fire personnel responded to a combination house and car fire Wedensday, April 29, 2020, at 2:25pm at the 200 block of CR 3129.
When the firemen arrived, the car was on fire beneath a parking area adjacent to the home, and that part of the structure was in danger of catching fire.
With the assistance of Jason Burch, a fireman with the department, the vehicle was able to be pulled from beneath the covering and away from the rest of the house.
Firemen continued working to extinguish the car and further investigate to ensure the structure wasn't on fire.
The firemen returned to the station at 3:28pm. Additional information will be added to this report when it's made available.
April 29, 2020 - The Shelby County Commissioners met in person for the first time April 29, 2020, since they began holding meetings via Zoom.
Judge Allison Harbison stated the courthouse would be open again Monday, May 4, 2020; however, safety protocols regarding COVID-19 are still being considered before that time. There was no mention yet of measurement of temperature and usage of masks will be included in these protocols.
"Friday the Tax Office and the District Clerk will, and the ground security are going to kind of get a plan on how many people to let in and things like that," said Judge Harbison.
She further suggested the Tax Office and District Clerk's office would have additional glass added to their windows for payments and papers to just be slid through to the other side.
"Second and third floor still doing it the same, they'll have to have an appointment or permission to go up to the second or third floors, and in-person court hearings like criminal court and stuff cannot go on until June 1," said Judge Harbison.
A motion carried by the commissioners to close County Road 2520. Jimmy Lout, Precinct 2 Commissioner, stated the road is around 150 yards long, in the Huxley area and the only house on the roadway was torn down. Judge Harbison confirmed with Lout the land on both sides of the road is owned by the same individual.
Danny Hays, Senior Project Engineer for KSA in Lufkin, spoke with the commissioners about a construction contract for the Sand Hill WSC Chemical Feed Facility.
Hays explained bids were opened on April 21, 2020 and two were received. The lower and winning bid was from Duplichain Contractors of Alto for $199,600 and Hays stated that was under the available budget of $200,075 with the grant.
Hays described the current situtation at the Sandhill Water Supply Corporation Treatment plant. The corporation has a new well that's closer to town.
"All of their existing chemical feed is inside that little block building pump house, the chlorine gas is in a little lean-to shed off the side of it," said Hays. "We're going to build two fiberglass chemical storage and feed buildings, or shelters."
A motion carried by the commissioners to award the construction contract for the Sand Hill WSC Chemical Feed Facility - TxCDBG No. 7218440 to Duplechesne Contractors.
Considering sealed bids from several contractors for the roof repair of the Shelby County Courthouse has been on hold since the Coronavirus became an issue in Shelby County and no action was taken on that agenda item to allow Judge Harbison to set a date for the prospective bidders.
The meeting was then adjourned at 9:41am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Current payroll. 3. Commissioner Pct .2 to close County Road 2520. 4. Award of construction contract for the Sand Hill WSC Chemical Feed Facility - TxCDBG No. 7218440. 5. Adjourn at 9:41am.
April 29, 2020 - Shelby County Office of Emergency Management was notified by Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS) on April 27th of 3 more positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 bringing the total cumulative case count for Shelby County to 103. We were also notified of 3 more recovered cases, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 16.
On April 28th DSHS also gave us confirmation of one death in Shelby County due to COVI-19. While we’ve had many questions directed to our office concerning COVID-19 deaths in Shelby County, we continue to report only confirmed, factual information provided to us by DSHS.
Cases in each zip code:
Center (75935) - 73 (difference +1)
Joaquin (75954) - 5 (difference +1)
Shelbyville (75973) - 6
Tenaha (75974) - 10
Timpson (75975) - 9 (difference +1)
Ages of Confirmed Cases:
Ages 1 to 20 - 1 case
Ages 21 to 40 - 29 cases (difference +1)
Ages 41 to 60 - 41 cases (difference +2), 1 death
Ages 61 to 80 - 26 cases
Ages 81 to 100 - 3 cases
Age unknown - 3 cases
April 29, 2020 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern Nacogdoches County, South central Shelby County, Angelina County, San Augustine County, and Sabine County in eastern Texas until 3:30am CDT.
At 2:39 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Apple Springs to 9 miles southwest of Nacogdoches to near Macune to 8 miles southeast of Milam, moving southeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated. These storms have downed numerous trees and power lines throughout much of East Texas.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include... Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Diboll, Milam, Hudson, Huntington, San Augustine, Hemphill, Pineland, Melrose, Martinsville, Bland Lake, Woden, Pollok, Rosevine, Macune, Etoile, Burke, Zavalla and Chireno.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move immediately to shelter inside a strong building. Stay away from windows.
April 29, 2020 - A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 2:32am by the National Weather Service and remains in effect until 2:45am CDT for Northeastern Nacogdoches, Shelby, San Augustine and Northern Sabine Counties.
At 2:32am CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Woden to near Macune to 7 miles north of Milam, moving south at 45 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include... Nacogdoches, Center, Milam, San Augustine, Hemphill, Garrison, Melrose, Patroon, Martinsville, Bland Lake, Neuville, Woden, Rosevine, Macune, Etoile, Shelbyville, Appleby, Chireno, Huxley and Broaddus.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from windows.
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