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March 19, 2020 - The City of Center wants to reassure our residents and businesses that essential City services are not anticipated to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following our emergency response plans and taking necessary steps to ensure we can continue to serve our citizens. The City will be enhancing emergency response services by the Center Police and Fire Departments. Also, City water, sewer and garbage services should not be interrupted. The City will make some operational modifications consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and today’s Emergency Order by Governor Abbott in efforts to reduce in-person interactions for city business and postpone public events of ten or more persons. These steps are being taken to protect staff, customers, the public health and particularly our most vulnerable citizens.
The City is taking measures to ensure the continuity of services throughout the community including communications with local medical facilities, industry partners, retail businesses and other utility providers. Center Police and Fire personnel are coordinating with other emergency responders. Public Safety contacts remain 936/598-2788 for the Center Police Department and 936/598-3288 for the Center Fire Department. If anyone requires emergency services, they still call 9-1-1. The Center Police and Fire Stations will limit access to the public to reduce contact as a precaution for the individual health of our public safety personnel.
City water and sewer utility service will continue. The City is operating both water plants on regular schedule so that all water needed is available and in compliance with all drinking water standards. City utility plants and the City annex on Riggs Street will also limit public access. If anyone has utility or public works requests, call 936/598-2941 to initiate a response.
The Governor’s current order inhibits many business operations and we encourage all citizens and residents to continue to support local businesses that continue operations in adjusted fashion to comply with the Governor’s statewide health order. The Center Economic Development Corporation staff has been directed to monitor State of Texas and US Small Business Administration programs for resources, information and potential aid for businesses affected by COVID-19 and will provide information on the City website as it becomes available. Staff remain available to answer any questions at 936/598-2941.
The CDC and TxDSHS encourage individual preventative measures:
- Frequently washing hands;
- Staying at home if you have any symptoms of illness, especially fever or difficulty breathing;
- Avoiding close personal contact with people, such as shaking hands; and
- Frequently disinfecting surfaces at home and in the workplace.
Additional recommendations of the CDC and TXDept of State Health Services include start practicing social distancing by:
- staying away from other people to avoid catching or spreading illness;
- avoiding crowds and minimizing physical contact; and
- staying at least six feet away from others Operational Modifications/Update:
City Hall will also reduce public access. Customers can call 936/598-2941 for assistance or with questions including need to talk directly to personnel. To make a utility payment or service changes, the options include:
- The payment kiosk at City Hall open 24/7 accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit cards
- The night drop box at City Hall for cash or checks
- The online payment portal at www.CenterTexas.org is now available
- For additional assistance, please call 936/598-2941.
The Center Municipal Court, located at the Center Police Station is also closed to the public. Anyone wishing to resolve a ticket or citation can make payments via:
- Online at trafficpayment.com
- Mailing plea with money order to P.O. Box 1900, Center, Texas 75935
- Calling 936/598-3080 with questions or additional assistance.
Garbage collection is continuing regular Tuesday/Friday or Monday/Thursday schedules for residences and daily scheduled collection for all commercial accounts. Bulky waste disposal at the Riggs St. Annex is temporarily unavailable.
All athletic activities coordinated by Center Recreation Department are temporarily postponed. While City parks, pavilions, playgrounds, and cemeteries remain open at this time, all are encouraged to follow the recommended health and safety protocols, including the Governor’s order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 persons, social distancing and individual prevention.
The John D. Windham Civic Center and Community House staff will coordinate the postponing or rescheduling events at no additional cost to renters to honor Governor Abbott’s order of no meetings larger than ten persons until April 3rd. All public events until April have been postponed by event coordinators.
The Center Municipal Airport will remain open to accommodate aviation needs and there are currently no restrictions on flight operations.
March 19, 2020 -Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton continues to caution Texans about scams emerging during the statewide Coronavirus disaster declaration announced by Governor Abbott last Friday.
Several cyber scams involving false emails or text messages have been reported, and Attorney General Paxton advises all Texans to be on alert for electronic communications with dangerous attachments or fraudulent website links. Unscrupulous actors send these messages with the intention of deceiving citizens into revealing sensitive information or donating to false charities. Any email or social media post with a Coronavirus (COVID-19) subject line, attachment or hyperlink should be treated with caution.
Remember these tips to avoid cyber scams:
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
- Use trusted sources like legitimate, government websites for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
- Do not reveal any personal or financial information in an email, and do not respond to any email solicitations for this information.
- Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations.
The current disaster declaration is effective across the entire state, and under Texas consumer protection statutes, it is illegal for a person to take advantage of a disaster declaration by engaging in deceptive trade practices.
Texans who believe they have encountered disaster scams should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online. For additional information on disaster scams, please visit our disaster scams website.
For information on the spread or treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services.
To Shelby County Residents:
March 18, 2020 - I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the very fluid situation surrounding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. Myself and the Emergency Management Coordinator, Kerri Shofner, are continuing to monitor information and participate in conference calls with The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
As of 1:00 PM March 18th (most recent conference call) there are 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Texas and 2 confirmed deaths. Approximately 1,900 COVID-19 tests have been performed state wide. We currently have no COVID-19 positive test results being reported to us for Shelby County. And have been assured that if that should occur, DSHS will notify county officials.
Many Shelby County businesses, churches, and organizations have reached out to us for guidance on closures and/or limiting services. We have advised them to refer to guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and DSHS.
All the guidelines set by the aforementioned agencies highly recommend social distancing as the most effective way possible to prevent the spread of the disease.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businesses, schools, churches, and organizations that have adhered to these recommendations by closing, using alternative methods for doing businesses, and cancelling and/or postponing events & meetings. Your proactive efforts to practice social distancing and avoid the spread of the coronavirus and help insure the continued good health of populations most susceptible to the virus are to be applauded.
Please continue to provide all local media outlets & social media outlets of all closings, cancellations, rescheduling & alternative business methods. This will aid tremendously in keeping the public informed of all pertinent information.
Please refer to the following web sites to keep abreast of all COVID-19 information/recommendations:
We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide the public with information as it is provided to us.
March 17, 2020 - FM 1970 South just before County Road 4755 was the scene of a single-vehicle rollover crash Thursday, March 12, 2020 at around 7:50pm.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Taylor Buster, a maroon 1999 Ford F-350 driven by Logan Yates, 19, of Timpson was northbound on FM 1970 South. The truck was traveling at an unsafe speed for the curve in the roadway.
Yates tooks faulty evasive action traveling into the oncoming lane and leaving the roadway where the vehicle rolled and came to rest on its top.
Emergency personnel with the Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene.
Yates was charged with unsafe speed and driving while intoxicated. He was later taken into custody and transported by Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos.
According to the Shelby County Jail log, Yates was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
March 16, 2020 - In an effort to reduce the need for in-person transactions, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) worked with Governor Greg Abbott and our stakeholders to temporarily waive certain requirements for vehicle registration, vehicle titling and disabled parking placards.
On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation, declaring a state of disaster for all counties in Texas due to the threat of COVID-19. Governor Abbott also issued a statement on March 16, 2020, granting a temporary extension to obtain initial registration, renewal of registration, vehicle titling, and renewal of a permanent disabled parking placard. Governor Abbott also granted a temporary extension for an individual with an expired 30-day temporary permit to obtain another permit or Texas registration.
The temporary waiver applies to vehicle owners in all Texas counties as set forth in the above-referenced proclamation and statement. This temporary waiver is in effect until 60 days after TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration, vehicle titling and related services have resumed. The 60-day period will be the same for all counties.
The purpose of the waiver is to prevent customers from having to physically visit a county tax assessor-collector office to obtain initial registration, to obtain a 30-day temporary permit, to transfer title; or to renew registration or a permanent disabled parking placard. Customers may continue to renew their registration online at www.TxDMV.gov. At this time, TxDMV continues to fill online registration sticker requests and process all other online services.
TxDMV has informed law enforcement agencies and the offices of the county tax assessor-collectors of the temporary waiver.
Please note the announcement for County Court being rescheduled is not the same as Commissioner's Court. Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison advises Commissioners' Court will be held as scheduled.
March 13, 2020 - Notice is hereby given that a Special meeting of the Governing body of the Shelby County Commissioners’ Court will be held on the 18th day of March, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse at 200 San Augustine Street, Center, Shelby County, Texas to deliberate and consider action on the following items:
1. Approve and pay weekly expenses.
2. Approve Current payroll.
3. Public comments on Agenda item.
4. Approve Taylor Fanguy Constable 4 Bond.
5. Discuss and possibly approve rental space for Justice of the Peace and Constable for Precinct 3.
6. Adjourn.
March 13, 2020 - The Shelby County Criminal Misdemeanor Court has been canceled on March 17th, as a result of the recommendations of the Council of Presiding Judges.
If you are scheduled for the March 17th court date you are rescheduled for April 7th, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Shelby County Attorneys Office at 936-598-6100.
March 13, 2020 - Jail inmate visitation at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has been suspended until further notice. Public entrance into the SCSO will be limited to complainants and/or deliveries only.
This temporary suspension was granted by the governor’s office in response to the current threat of the Coronavirus.
This suspension will remain in effect until terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the disaster declaration is lifted or expires. All efforts will be made for attorney visitation.
If you wish to put money on an inmate account or purchase a phone card- a money order must be mailed to the jail. Our mailing address is 100 Hurst Street, Center, TX, 75935. You will not be allowed in the doors to put cash on an account.
If you register as a sex offender and need to update your registration, you will be seen by appointment only. Please contact Leah Chase at (936) 598-5601 to schedule a time.
Per Texas Commission on Jail Standards, jails will not be issued a notice of non-compliance for the suspension.
Leah Chase, SCSO Media Relations
March 13, 2020 - The intersection of Loop 500 and FM 699 was the scene of a major crash incident incident Thursday, March 13, 2020.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Jonathan Stinson, at 2:20pm a white 2019 White Tuscon Hyundai driven by Conelious Greer, 56, of Dallas was northbound on FM 699 when he disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of Loop 500. The Hyundai then struck the left side of a white 2019 Nissan Frontier driven by Rebecca Rene Rogers, 27, of Center sending both vehicles traveling off Loop 500 and onto the west side where the Hyundai rolled onto its driver's side.
Greer and an 8-year-old, 7-year-old twins, and a one-year-old were all transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department. Only Greer and one of the children were taken for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries.
Greer was issued a citation for disregard stop sign.
Emergency personnel with the Center Fire Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, and the Center Police Department all responded to assist at the scene.
Trooper Stinson was assisted at the scene by Troopers Buster, Jones and Fountain.
March 13, 2020 - The Jury that was summoned for Monday, March 23rd, 2020, for the 123rd Judicial District Court, Honorable LeAnn K. Rafferty, presiding, has been cancelled.
All cases scheduled have been resolved or passed.
Anyone receiving a jury summons for this day is released until they receive a future summons.
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