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January 13, 2025 - A vehicle pursuit involving Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Troopers that began between Tenaha and Timpson on U.S. Highway 59 on Monday, January 13, 2025, ended safely in Timpson.
The pursued vehicle came to rest in a grocery store parking lot in Timpson following a collision with a sign post before Troopers took the Polk County man into custody.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 11:40am, a traffic stop was initiated on a black 2011 Nissan passenger car for reckless driving, however, when the Trooper activated his lights and sirens, the driver failed to stop. The Nissan traveled approximately 18 miles, doubling back several times before he lost control, left the roadway, and struck a street sign. The driver of the Nissan was then taken into custody without further incident. After the arrest, it was discovered that the 2011 Nissan matched the description of a vehicle that eluded the Garrison Police Department earlier in the morning on Monday.
The driver Peyton Hathaway, 18, of Livingston, was placed under arrest for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, possession of a controlled substances penalty group 2, tamper/fabricate with physical evidence with intent to impair, which are all three felonies. Hathaway was also arrested for reckless driving and duty on striking fixture on a highway landscape, which are both misdemeanor offenses.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
DPS Troopers involved were Sgt. Aaron Shelton, Trooper Jordan Ford and Trooper Daniel Dellenger.
January 10, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved bonds for incoming elected and appointed county officials during their January 8, 2025 meeting and agreed to move forward with the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for the Shelby County Courthouse.
County Judge Harbison referred to the previous meeting where the only bonds that were still needed for approval were from Constable Precinct 3 and Constable Precinct 5.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to approve the bonds and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith.
Judge Harbison presented the commissioners with needed repairs of leaks in the Courthouse foyer.
“The week of Christmas when it rained so much, I believe there was nearly two inches of water in the corner down there where [Courthouse Security] sits and he was a little concerned because some breakers started blowing,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison elaborated that the source of the leak isn’t know exactly and she would like to get someone to look at it.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to seek a review and a quote for the repair, and Commissioner Smith seconded his motion.
The commissioners approved a quote for previously approved AEDs in the courthouse and the total for three defibrillators was $4,095 from HSI Headquarters.
Commissioners Bellmyer remarked the last time when the AEDs were approved was in September 2024 and the motion was to approve the purchase of the three units for each floor.
“They’re pretty simple to use, we had them when I worked [elsewhere] the people that we buy them from will give basic training but they will talk to you and tell you what to do,” said Bellmyer.
He repeated he thinks it’s important for the courthouse to have one on every floor. Additional action wasn’t necessary since the purchase was already previously approved.
Commissioner Precinct 3 stated his precinct is needing another haul truck and he moved to advertise for bids for one new haul truck for Precinct 3. A second was heard by Commissioner Bellmyer.
During the Commissioners’ Court Reports Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, thanked Commissioner Smith for supplying a track hoe to help with work in Precinct 1, which has helped prevent the need to rent one.
Commissioner Bellmyer commented on a continuing aggravation with people in the community dumping trash on the side of the road when the commissioners have dumpsters in their yards.
“I have started getting a lot more calls than I usually get about trash and debris on the side of the road,” said Commissioner Bellmyer. “Every week, I’ve got people are throwing out garbage, bags of household garbage, mattresses and things that nearly every creek bridge in my precinct has new debris thrown off of them.”
Commissioner Bellmyer reiterated that every precinct has a dumpster.
Prohibited items aren’t allowed, such as, tires, paint, batteries, but there are many large items that are accepted.
The meeting adjourned at 10:06am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of December 4 Special Meeting, December 11 Regular Meeting, December 18 Special Meeting, December 25 Special Meeting and December 31st Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers Report. 4. Bonds of the incoming elected and appointed County officers. 5. Repair leaks in the Courthouse foyer. 6. Advertise for bids for one (1) new haul truck for Pct. 3. 7. Adjourn.
January 10, 2025 - The Shelby County Commissioners met for their final meeting of the 2024 year on December 31, 2024, and approved the mileage rate change for 2025 in accordance with IRS Standard Rates.
County Judge Allison Harbison stated the rate is going up from .67 to .70 cents.
Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, moved to approve the mileage rate change and Stevie Smith, Commissioner Precinct 3, seconded his motion. The motion carried.
The commissioners accepted the bonds of incoming elected officials and appointed county officers. Judge Harbison listed those bonds they were presented with.
“JP 4s bond is good until July, so she’ll be needing to get a new bond then and then we’ll come back and approve that bond when we get it,” said Judge Harbison. “Then also the county attorney’s bond is good through July also, that was because of their appointment.”
Judge Harbison planned to put bonds on the agenda again for any they did not yet have.
Judge Harbison stated she had bonds for Sheriff, Tax Assessor/Collector, Commissioner 1, Commissioner 3, Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Constable, Constable 2, and Constable 4.
Judge Harbison stated she had an opinion from Texas Association of Counties counsel stating that for those offices which bonds haven’t yet been received, the office holder’s bond from the previous term would carry over.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved to approve the bonds, and Commissioner Shannon Metcalf seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 9:43am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Weekly expenses. 2. Payroll. 3. Mileage rate change for 2025 in accordance with IRS Standard Rates. 4. Bonds of the incoming elected and appointed county officers. 5. Adjourn at 9:43am.
January 9, 2025 - Panola College will close all locations on Friday, January 10th, due to inclement weather.
January 9, 2025 - Center ISD will have a two hour delayed start to school tomorrow, Friday January 10, 2025.
We will continue to monitor roads and weather throughout the night. If something changes, we will notify you immediately. Continue to monitor parent square, local and social media pages.
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
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