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August 29, 2024 - The National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA issued a special weather statement at 6:16pm on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Strong thunderstorms will impact western Webster, northwestern De Soto, northwestern Red River, Caddo, west central Bienville and Bossier parishes, eastern Marion, eastern Harrison, Panola, and north central Shelby counties through 7:15pm.
At 6:16 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles west of Ringgold to near Center. Movement was north at 20 mph.
Radar indicated, wind gusts up to 40 mph. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include... Shreveport, Bossier City, Marshall, Carthage, Springhill, Center, Vivian, Haughton, Greenwood, Blanchard, Waskom, Benton, Stonewall, Logansport, Cullen, Tenaha, Plain Dealing, Cotton Valley, Oil City, and Sarepta.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
August 29, 2024 - A Shelby County Grand Jury handed down 26 indictments on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The grand jury was impaneled for the July 2024 term of the 123rd/273rd Judicial District Courts.
Torin Elige McSwain was indicted for prohibited weapon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 7, 2024, McSwain possessed a short barrel firearm, specifically the barrel of the firearm measured approximately 10 inches, a violation of Texas Penal Code 46.05 Prohibited Weapons. The indictment further alleges the weapon was not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives or not subject to that registration requirement, and the weapon was not classified as a curio or relic by the United States Department of Justice. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Torin Elige McSwain was indicted for escape from custody, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on June 17, 2024, McSwain escaped from the custody of John Mills, who was then and there the jail administrator at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, when McSwain was under arrest for the offense of possession of a prohibited weapon, a felony. (273rd Judicial District Court) (Related article: Law Enforcement Apprehend Escaped Inmate)
Dontay Demond Barnes was indicted for theft of property, >=$150K<$300K, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 20, 2024, Barnes took a white 2022 Mack truck and a silver 2024 Pace trailer, of the value of $150,000 or more but less than $300,000, from Tyson Foods, the owner, without the effective consent of Tyson Foods and with intent to deprive Tyson Foods of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Crystal Dawn Smith was indicted for abandoning/endangering a child with intent/knowledge/reckless/criminal negligence. The indictment alleges, on August 3, 2024, while Smith had custody, care, or control of a child younger than 15 years of age intentionally abandoned the child in a place that exposed the child to an unreasonable risk of harm. Namely, leaving the child unattended in a hotel room. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Ragan Mitchell Kryst was indicted for abandoning/endangering a child with intent/knowledge/reckless/criminal negligence. The indictment alleges, on August 3, 2024, while Kryst had custody, care, or control of a child younger than 15 years of age intentionally abandoned the child in a place that exposed the child to an unreasonable risk of harm. Namely, leaving the child unattended in a hotel room. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Kevin J. Zamora was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on June 26, 2024, Zamora took a Snapper lawn mower valued at $4,000, Kubota L3400 HST tractor valued at $16,000, box blade, bush hog, Toro riding lawn mower, multiple antiques, miscellaneous power tools, table saw, chop saw, air compressor, and a white 1999 USCA cargo trailer of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, from Phillip M. Amos, the owner, without effective consent and with intent to deprive of the owner of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Brittney Nicole Smith was indicted for obstruction or retaliation, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 24, 2024, Smith threatened to harm Cortney Tindol by an unlawful act, namely threaten to shoot her, in retaliation for or on account of the service or status of Cortney Tindol as a public servant, namely, Child Protective Services Case Manager. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Brittney Nicole Smith was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on March 24, 2024, Smith entered a habitation without the consent of Candy Myers, the owner, and attempted to commit or committed theft of a 22 caliber rifle owner by Myers. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Tammy Sue Sims was indicted for theft of property >=$2,500<$30K, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on May 5, 2024, Sims took an Apple iPhone 14, four chrome rims, a set of Memphis sub-woofers and amp, several chainsaws, red Honda motorcycle CRF450R 5000, and a blue Yamaha GT125 800 of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30,000 from Christopher Weaver and Amanda Wright, the owner, without effective consent and with intent to deprive of the owner of the property. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Covarcea J. Simmons was indicted for theft of firearm, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on March 30, 2024, Simmons took a firearm from Alberto Cuero, the owner, without effective consent and with intent to deprive of the owner of the property. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Gary Lewis Smith was indicted for injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 21, 2024, Smith caused bodily injury to Steven Parker, an individual 60 years of age or older and disabled, by hitting him in the left eye and throwing him to the ground. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Ricardo Lagunas Rodriguez was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 8, 2024, Rodriguez with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination the combination consisting of Rodriguez and Jonathan Vincente and Marlena Poore and an unknown man hereinafter known as FNU LNU, who collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity. The indictment goes on to say the group conspired to commit the unlawful offense of unlawful possession of stolen property and weapons by agreeing with each other that they would engage in conduct that constituted the offense, and Rodriguez, Vincente and Armando Huerta and FNU LNU, performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement, namely unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance or dangerous drug while, in possession of stolen property and weapons. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Marlena Merissa Poore was indicted for engaging in organized criminal activity, state jail felony. The indictment alleges, on April 8, 2024, Poore with intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a combination or in the profits of a combination the combination consisting of Poore and Jonathan Vincente and Ricardo Lagunas Rodriguez and an unknown man hereinafter known as FNU LNU, who collaborated in carrying on the hereinafter described criminal activity. The indictment goes on to say the group conspired to commit the unlawful offense of unlawful possession of stolen property and weapons by agreeing with each other that they would engage in conduct that constituted the offense, and Poore, Rodriguez, Vincente and Armando Huerta and FNU LNU, performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement, namely unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance or dangerous drug while, in possession of stolen property and weapons. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Kody James Newman was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on September 8, 2024, Newman threatened Jimmy Drew Harris with imminent bodily injury by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon, and did and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon namely a Bersa .380 semi-automatic pistol during the commission of the assault. (273rd Judicial District Court)
Christopher Lance Askew was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 2, 2024, Askew with intent to commit theft entered a habitation without the effective consent of Carrie and Robert Simpson, the owner. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Eljamario D. Washington was indicted for unlawful possession firearm by felon, third degree felony. The indictment alleges, on July 19, 2024, Washington recklessly carried a handgun on or about his own person, and Washington was not on his own premises or premises that were under his own control, and the defendant was not inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that was owned by Washington or under his control. The indictment further states, Washington was prohibited from possessing a firearm under section 46.04(a) of the Texas Penal Code, in that at the time of the commission of the charged offense, Washington had previously been convicted of the felony offense of aggravated flight from an officer on December 13, 2018 in Caddo Parish in Louisiana. The possession of the firearm occurred before the fifth anniversary of Washington's release from confinement following conviction of the felony. (123rd Judicial District Court)
Amos Martin Bergeaux was indicted for burglary of a habitation, second degree felony. The indictment alleges, on May 3, 2024, with intent to commit theft Bergeaux entered a habitation without the effective consent of Lucas, Regina, and Lee Brazzel and David Carroll, the owner. (123rd Judicial District Court)
(Dates in parenthesis indicate the date of the alleged incident):
- Brandon Dekee Barnes, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (phencyclidine), second degree felony (May 14, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Keneth Grimes, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (February 8, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Adria Simone Polley, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (June 16, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Robert Nathan Stephenson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (phencyclidine), third degree felony (April 18, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- David L. Godwin, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B <1G (methamphetamine), state jail felony (November 22, 202). (123rd Judicial District Court)
- Ricardo Lagunas Rodriguez, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (April 8, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Marlena Merissa Poore, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=4G<200G (methamphetamine), second degree felony (April 8, 2024). (273rd Judicial District Court)
- Eric Jerome Jackson, possession of a controlled substance PG1/1-B >=1G<4G (methamphetamine), third degree felony (February 27, 2024). (123rd Judicial District Court)
Indictments and Information are not a conviction, and are a matter of public record. All individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
August 28, 2024 - Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers responded to several crashes during the morning of Monday, August 26, 2024.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to an incident on State Highway 7 East at 10:27am and Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department personnel assisted at the scene with traffic control until the vehicles could be removed from the scene.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Josh Gradberg, a white 2011 Honda CRV driven by Shirley Jacks, 82, of Joaquin was eastbound on State Highway 7 and was attempting to turn left onto CR 3169. At that time a white 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 pulling a trailer and driven by Juan Francisco Delarosa Sanchez, 43, of Mexico failed to control his speed and collided with the rear of the Honda.
Jacks was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches for medical treatment.
There was a total of seven occupants in the Dodge, and no injuries were reported of any of them.
Sanchez was issued citations for failure to control speed, and no driver’s license.
The Honda was towed from the scene.
The city streets of Timpson saw a two-vehicle crash on Railroad Avenue and according to DPS State Trooper Tim Grace, at 10:01am just south of Bremond Street on Railroad Avenue at the Timpson water facility there was a city utility truck driven by Larry Burns, 59, of Timpson backing out of a driveway. At that tine a 2023 Chevrolet SUV Trailblazer driven by Eric Ramsey, 50, was stopped in the lane on Railroad Avenue. When the utility truck was backing out it struck the Trailblazer, causing minor damage and no injuries.
U.S, Highway 59 near U.S. Highway 84 was the scene of another crash Monday and according to Texas DPS State Trooper Tim Grace, at 7:25am a silver Ford Ranger driven by Jack Edwards, 65, was northbound on U.S. 59 and attempted to change lanes. When he did, his vehicle contacted a red Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old driver, who was traveling in the inside lane.
Minor damage was received by both vehicles and no injuries were reported.
U.S. Highway 96 south of Center was the scene of a two-vehicle crash early in the morning.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Gradberg, at 6:03am on U.S. Highway 96 South around one mile south of SL 500 a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Benjiman Bauer, 53, of Center, was northbound behind a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck driven by David Tomlin, 49, when the Dodge failed to control speed and collided with the Chevrolet, causing damage.
No injuries were reported and both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Bauer will be receiving a citation for failure to control speed.
August 27, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were updated Judge Allison Harbison on the non-compliance designation of the Shelby County Jail applied by the Texas Commission of Jail Standards during the Commissioners' Court Reports portion of their meeting August 14, 2024.
“We did get another letter from jail standards, and it appears that I will be spending a lot of time in Austin, because we have to be there every time. Every quarter they meet, Shelby County has to have a representative there until all delinquencies are met. That's really all I have to say about that,” said Judge Harbison.
Judge Harbison indicated for the commissioners a copy of the letter from TCJS was included in their meeting information for reference and she invited any of the commissioners to attend as well, if they would like, and for the sheriff to be there.
“There will be some things on the agenda next week, I didn't put them on there this week because there was not going to be a representative from the sheriff's office, so we'll get that on there next week to correct a couple of physical problems over there (in the jail) with the lighting and wiring and things like that,” said Harbison.
Judge Harbison indicated that only one of the items they have to address could actually be fixed with someone making repairs.
“The rest of them were just record keeping and and things like that, so I think the media already has a copy of it because I saw it on [Shelby County Today] this morning,” said Judge Harbison.
She stated news media is also seeking comment from her on the issue of the non-compliant jail.
Judge Harbison informed the commissioners the information is available in her office for review and items related to it would be added to the following week agenda. She invited comment from the commissioners on the subject and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer accepted the invitation.
“The initial letter, I mean it goes back from March of [20]23 and we've been in and out of compliance and I know that you (Judge Harbison) and the previous chief deputy and had to actually go to Austin, but I guess what hurts my feelings some is if you look at the letter, the cover letter, the governor of Texas is copied on this letter. Greg Abbott actually gets a copy and knows that Shelby County is not in compliance,” said Commissioner Bellmyer.
He further stated he would be glad to go to Austin to help represent Shelby County.
“I will tell you, they were doing the jail inspection the day we came back from College Station, and I spent the afternoon up there. And the new jail inspector is a great guy, and he explained everything to us. So I don't feel like this was knit-picking, I think it was things that really need to be fixed,” said Judge Harbison
She reiterated the remaining issues are paperwork and “jailers doing their job.”
On another subject, Commissioner Bellmyer stated that on the Friday previous to the meeting, an engineer, driller and Billy Askins met at the Huber Water Well site and the driller liked the site he said that Askins had prepared it properly and he told them that he would move in on the project in two weeks.
“That was good news we've been kind of waiting on that, and so hopefully we'll get a new water well there for the folks in Huber,” said Bellmyer.
Sherry Riley, Veterans Service Officer, updated the commissioners on VA expenditures for Shelby and San Augustine Counties for the fiscal year 2022-2023 which she stated always runs a year behind in reporting.
According to Riley, the veteran population in Shelby county has decreased by 42 the total benefits received by Shelby County veterans increased by $123,000. Compensation increased by $278,000 Education and Vocational Rehabilitation decreased by $4,000 while insurance and indemnities decreased by $39,000. Medical care decreased by $111,000 and unique patients increased by five. Overall, benefits received by Shelby County veterans through the following of compensation and pension benefit claims in fiscal year 2023 is $18,105,000.
The San Augustine veteran population increased by 11 and total benefits received by San Augustine County veterans decreased by $472,000. Compensation decreased by $129,000. Education and Vocational Rehabilitation decreased by $34,000, insurance and indemnities increased by $4,000, medical care decreased by $314,000 and unique patients decreased by 24. Overall benefits received by San Augustine county veterans through the filing of compensation and pension benefit claims in fiscal year 2023 is $7,856,000.
Riley then referenced specifics of her of her office, “There's been 64 total claims filed in the past 12 months, of these claims eight were awarded at 100 percent, three were awarded at 90 percent seven at 80 percent three at 70 percent three at 60 percent three at 50 percent, and five were awarded under 50 percent,” said Riley. “Five of the total claims were DIC claims, also known as widow's pension. Four of those have been awarded, which enables these widows to have a monthly income for the rest of their lives and health insurance and one of those claims is pending.”
Of the 64 claims that have been made, 15 claims are pending decision, and seven claims have been denied.
Judge Harbison questioned if those that were denied were appealing those decisions and Riley said some of them were appealable issues while others were not.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:57am.
Officers reports for the month of June as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer:
Fees for the month of June 2024
Officers reports for the month of June 2024 as presented by Ann Blackwell, County Treasurer:
- Debora Riley, Tax Assessor Collector - Property: $126,474.56; Motor Vehicle: $31,351.1; Total: $157,825.71
- Jennifer Fountain, County Clerk - $37,598.60
- Lori Oliver, District Clerk - $12 ,673.85
- Donna Hughes, JP1 - $22,487.10
- Marla Denby, JP2 - $1,546
- Melba Rodgers, JP3 - $2,121.50
- Dee Dee Green, JP4 - $2,429.00
- Tracy Broadway, JP5 - $4,654.25
- Zack Warr, Constable 1 - $345.00
- James Hagler, Constable 2 - $90.00
- Roy Cheatwood, Constable 3 - $250.00
- Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4 - $180.00
- Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5 - $90.00
- Sheriff’s Fees - $1,005.00
Total of $243,296.01
Total investments of $16.288,011.56
Total interest earned on investments of $81,594.46
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of July 3 Special Meeting, July 3 Budget Workshop, July 10 Regular Meeting, July 12 Emergency Meeting, July 24 Special Meeting and July 31 Special Meeting of the Shelby County Commissioner’s Court. 2. Weekly Expenses 3. Payroll. 4. Officers Report. 5. Adjourn - 9:57am.
August 27, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were informed of potential tax rates during their August 7, 2024 meeting by the Tax Assessor-Collector.
Debora Riley, Shelby County Tax Assessor-Collector, submitted calculated tax rates for the commissioners to consider. (Click here for - Shelby County 2024 Adopted)
“So it's that time of year we talk about these tax rates. I'm going to start with our 2023 tax year. We had adopted .5965. That was our tax rate for the 2023 year. Now your reports for my collections are going to be as of June 30th, but I'm going to give you the rate of where we're at on collections as of July 31st. I added that in. It's $12,436,432. This includes our current and our delinquent tax to the general fund and the special road and bridge fund. Our collection rate for the 2023 is at 99% if you include all that together,” said Riley.
Riley then gave the property tax rates as follows, “The no new revenue rate, that's a rate which is to impose the same amount of taxes as last year you compare the property taxes in both years,” said Riley. “Your no new revenue rate comes in .663022 and our voter approval rate comes in at .695652.”
Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, elaborated on some of the information Riley presented to the commissioners.
“Court, I'd like to just add a couple of things to what the tax assessor has mentioned. You just heard that the no new revenue rate is about seven cents more than what our current rate is, and the reason behind that is that our certified values this year have the largest decrease from the previous year in the 12 years that I've been looking at this,” said Porterfield. “The largest decrease in certified value in 12 years from one year to the next. So from 2024 certified values to this year's certified values, We had a decrease, I'll just round this off, of $171 million. That's the largest we've ever had from year to year in 12 years. So, obviously, to get the same revenue as last year, that tax rate will have to go up, just to maintain what we did last year.”
Porterfield explained that if the county wants to capture what is allowed by SB 22, 3.5%, then the tax rate will have to go past the number stated of the new revenue rate.
“The tax assessor had some information there for you. We are looking at a number right now that's another cent and a half to two cents more than that no new revenue rate to get up to that three and a half percent that we're allowed, so those are the things that we're pondering at this moment,” said Porterfield.
Judge Harbison stated they are at the maximum right now so there will be no change because of that, “Do I have a motion that we do not take any action because we're at the max on those?” Judge Harbison then asked again for a motion to retain local optional fees and Commissioner Stevie Smith complied. Commissioner Tom Bellmyer seconded the motion and it carried.
The commissioners opened bids from two companies for belly dump trailers and accepted a bid from Performance Truck totaling $197,986.32.
Commissioner Stevie Smith moved to accept the bid, and his motion was seconded by Commissioner Jimmy Lout. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:37am.
Agenda itemsa approved during the meeting include: 1. Weekly expenses. 2. Open and review bids for Belly Dump Trailers to be purchased through ARPA Funds. Possibly award bid if all requirements are met and acceptable bid is received. 3. Retain local optional fees, for the calendar year 2025. 4. Renew the yearly contract in the amount of $4,600 with Computer Information Concepts for the Tax Office. 5. Sheriff’s Department to request bids for four 2024 Ford F-150 trucks to be paid from SB 22 Grant Funds. 6. Adjourn.
Photo Constable Precinct 4.
August 27, 2024 - Texas Department of Public Safety has provided additional details on the August 21, 2024, truck fire.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Trooper Dustin Ramos, at 5:05pm DPS Troopers, Timpson Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Tenaha VFD, and Constable Precinct 4 Taylor Fanguy were dispatched to a truck fire on U.S. Highway 59 between Timpson and Tenaha.
The truck was a 2020 Freightliner pulling a Great Dane box trailer, both owned by FedEx out of Pennsylvania and driven by Lonnie Flanagan, 65, of Weston Lakes, Texas. Just previous to the fire, the truck was northbound when Flanagan noticed the truck was smoking in the box area and he pulled over, after which, he identified the trailer was catching on fire and Flanagan separated the truck from the trailer.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and emergency crews were working on the roadway to clear the scene until 11:30pm.
No injuries were reported resulting from the incident.
August 21, 2024 - Emergency personnel are on scene at a truck-tractor fire on U.S. Highway 59 between Timpson and Tenaha. Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department firefighters are on scene since around 5pm, along with Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers and Taylor Fanguy, Constable Precinct 4.
The truck appears to have been hauling a FedEx trailer.
According to Constable Taylor Fanguy, US 59 in between Timpson and Tenaha close to County Road 4653 is the location of the fire, and the roadway is shut down for the 18-wheeler trailer on fire.
Texas DPS Troopers are investigating the incident and travelers are advised to use caution through this area.
August 27, 2024 – Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review by residents and business owners in all communities and incorporated areas of Shelby County, Texas.
Property owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the appeal and comment periods for the maps.
This is Shelby County’s first complete set of digital FIRMs. These maps serve multiple purposes, including defining Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). SFHAs are areas at high risk for flooding. Communities and residents can use the information to make informed decisions about building, development and flood insurance.
FEMA stresses that flooding can and does happen outside of the most vulnerable areas.
Review the preliminary flood maps by visiting the local floodplain administrator (FPA). A FEMA Map Specialist can help identify community FPAs. Specialists are available by telephone at 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online:
- The Flood Map Changes Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
- The Base Level Engineering-to-FIRM Viewer at https://webapps.usgs.gov/fema/ble_firm
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html (just click on the “Live Chat Open” icon).
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone at 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or by email at FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting floodsmart.gov.
Storms impacted areas across Shelby County on July 8. A lot of damage was visible from the Sardis-Campti area to the James Community.
August 25, 2024 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing disaster assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Beryl, and the deadline is October 10, 2024.
FEMA representatives are in Shelby County working with local officials such as Luciana Barr, Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator, to help connect them with residents to get them the assistance they may need due to the impacts of Hurricane Beryl which brought tornadoes to Shelby County on July 8, 2024.
Gabriel Gonzalez, Public Information Officer for FEMA, says the agency is hopeful to have a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Shelby County soon; however, in the interim the closest facility location is in Nacogdoches County.
“The Nacogdoches DRC is 40 minutes away, so if somebody needs to really put in an application that would be the other way if they want to get a one-on-one [meeting],” said Gonzalez.
Emergency crews, and area residents responded to help clear the area of heavy debris across State Highway 7 and other roadways.
Gonzalez says the straight line wind and tornado damage coverage for the tornadoes and flooding that was in Shelby County between April 26 and June 5 was closed on August 15. He explained that if a constituent or survivor had a life event which prevented them from filing for this assistance, such as being in the hospital, or they were in the military and deployed, that person can write a letter and still get in for that assistance.
“For Hurricane Beryl, we’re open until October 10,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez confirms, Shelby County has also been approved for Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA). According to FEMA, DSA primarily focuses on addressing the needs of disaster survivors by collecting targeted information to support leadership and operational decision-making, providing accessible, in-person case-specific information and referrals, providing referrals to whole community partners, as needed, and identifying disability-inclusive public information needs so strategic messaging can be developed and disseminated.
According to information provided by Gonzalez homeowners and renters in Austin, Bowie, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties can apply for FEMA assistance for uninsured losses caused by Hurricane Beryl.
You can apply for assistance in one of the following ways:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
- Disaster Recovery Centers operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday, closed Sunday. Any DRC can help with both Hurricane Beryl and the April 26 – June 5 storms and flooding. To find a center location near you, go to fema.gov/drc. The best times to call are early morning or early evening.
FEMA Continues Assistance to Texans
FEMA specialists continue working in the 19 counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl to help people apply for assistance. As of August 19, they have visited more than 109,000 homes and have interacted with over 25,000 residents. FEMA has operated 33 Disaster Recovery Centers visited by more than 32,000 residents. More than 900 families with 18,000 members have stayed in hotels temporarily at FEMA expense because they could not return to their homes.
Timpson Volunteer Fire Department was a main location for emergency personnel to organize as the storm blew through the area on July 8. Commissioner Tom Bellmyer is seen (pictured above) coordinating with fire department and Texas DPS personnel.
Personal Property Assistance
FEMA assistance is limited to basic needs; however, aid may be available for personal property if you are uninsured or underinsured. Personal property includes appliances: clothing, home furnishings, tools required for work and school such as computers, and items required for eligible applicants with disabilities.
Many Forms of Assistance Available
Texans recovering from Hurricane Beryl may need FEMA assistance for basic home repairs, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses. A fact sheet providing details is available here: Many Forms of Assistance Available.
SBA Business Recovery Centers
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations, and businesses of any size. The SBA disaster loan program is designed to help survivors with their long-term recovery needs. Texans can apply for an SBA disaster loan online at SBA.gov/disaster or get additional information by calling 800-659-2955. SBA representatives are available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the affected area. As of Aug. 19, SBA has approved $278.9 million in disaster loans for both disasters.
Additional Resources
- Crisis Counseling: Call the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-985-5990; for Spanish, press "2").
- If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508. If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report this information to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.
- Disaster Legal Assistance: Call the Texas State Bar Legal Hotline at 800-504-7030 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phones are answered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling 800-939-6631 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 9, 2024, and should specify that they are related to Hurricane Beryl.
- For information on replacing documents: see Replacing Lost Documents.
- WIC Benefits: WIC Texas | Texas WIC or call 800-942-3678.
August 23, 2024 - (McCraw Retirement Letter) - This morning, in a letter to his more than 11,000 Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and employees, Director Steven C. McCraw announced that after leading the agency for 15 years, he plans to retire.
“There is no more important responsibility in government than ensuring the safety and security of our citizens,” McCraw wrote in the letter. “You, the men and women of the Texas Department of Public Safety, have upheld this responsibility with unmatched excellence. Serving as the Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety has been the greatest honor of my life. I leave knowing that the future of this department is in the best possible hands—yours. Your continued efforts and commitment to excellence have made, and will continue to make, a profound difference in the lives of those around you.”
DPS has made notable changes under McCraw’s leadership, thanks to the tremendous support of Governor Greg Abbott, as well as the Texas Legislature and other state leaders. This includes the transition to a regional command structure – uniting DPS operations throughout the state, increasing pay for commissioned officers and obtaining state-of-the-art equipment to better serve the public and to protect officers. During his tenure, McCraw and DPS leadership also increased department hiring standards and implemented a mandatory fitness program for all commissioned officers.
His focus on recruiting has helped bring in top talent over the years. Under his leadership 3,300 Recruits completed the DPS Training Academy to join the ranks of the Texas Highway Patrol.
McCraw started his law enforcement career with DPS in 1977 as a Trooper in the Texas Highway Patrol and later as a DPS Narcotics Agent. In 1983, he became a Special Agent with the FBI and served in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Tucson, San Antonio and Washington, DC.
His promotions included Supervisory Special Agent, Unit Chief of the Colombian/Mexican Organized Crime Unit, Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Tucson, Inspector-In-Charge of the Southeast Bomb Task Force, Inspector – Deputy Assistant Director, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Office and Assistant Director of the Office of Intelligence for which he was tasked to establish after the attacks on 9/11. McCraw was also responsible for establishing the Foreign Terrorism Tracking Task Force under the Office of the Attorney General.
In 2004, McCraw retired from the FBI to become the Texas Homeland Security Director in the Office of the Governor where he served until his appointment as DPS Director in 2009.
McCraw will continue to serve as Director through the end of the year while the Public Safety Commission selects his replacement. Details on that process will be made available in the coming days.
August 21, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners were informed of a contract from a company to digitize voter registration records during there July 31, 2024 meeting.
Nancy Adams, Shelby County Elections Administrator, presented a contract to the commissioners from Vista Solutions to digitize voter registration records at an initial cost of $6,750 for installation, setup, and licensing. This also would have a $2,500 annual fee for subscription and licensing.
“Our records currently are paper records. When we get an application that comes in if somebody walks in and fills out a voter registration application, or we get to one through DPS, we have to fill that card and our card files are so tight we can't get any more in there,” said Adams. “If we forget to print something, which you know mistakes happen, that's not often at all but if we forget to print something then we don't have a record of that.”
Adams explained for the court she has what are called Chapter 19 funds that are provided by the Secretary of State, which are based on how many voters there are every other year. $3,000 Adams said she plans to pay out of the Chapter 19 funds and $3,750 out of her budget for next year.
Commissioner Bellmyer moved to enter into the contract with Vista Solutions, and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevie Smith. The motion carried.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, proposed to the commissioners the purchase of six handheld cellular based Rapid Radio handheld radios for the constables and one deputy constable.
Tipton spoke with the commissioners about testing out the radios to see where they will work. The total cost of the radios is $1,029.
A motion carried with Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moving to purchase the radios and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Chad Hooper spoke with the court about new trucks for the Sheriff’s Department.
“So a couple of months ago, I believe we had on the agenda that we were looking for new Tahoes and truck, things of that nature. I believe the courts expressed their concern about why we didn't go to the buyboard and get bids due to the pricing and that you all possibly wanted some input from the sheriff elect. I reached out to Mr. Corbell I've been in conversation with the sheriff and I've got [Mr. Corbell] here today to talk about this.”
Hooper explained Corbell is more interested in Ford vehicles like the constables have been using, as he said there have been problems with Chevy Tahoe transmissions. Chief Hooper said they have had a lot of experience with that issue at the Sheriff’s Department with Tahoes they have.
White Ford F150 pickup trucks were what Chief Hooper said Corbell would be most interested in getting.
“I know we've got some money that we have to get spent out of the Senate bill [22]. We need exact dates on when that's up. Mine and Mr. Corbell’s understanding it's September. End of September, I hope. So we are at this time trying to get that money accounted for what we're gonna do with it where it's gonna go,” said Hooper.
Hooper said that vehicles are obviously going to take a large sum of those funds whether it be three or four vehicles, and they haven't really decided exactly how many they want.
“Of course, we'll get whatever the court will approve for them. We need at least three. We've got vehicles over there within excess of 200,000 miles. So if we keep those, get your checkbook out. Because 200,000 miles and you're using it as a pursuit vehicle, I don't think so, you're going to rebuild it. And we're talking about tie-rod ends, ball joints, U -joints, spring suspension, everything else, if you keep them. And it's not going to be worth doing it unless somebody in the county can use it just as basic transportation, something like that. But what we're talking about, because of white, white is a cooler color. It's high visibility, both in the daytime and night time, and that's just what it needs to be,” said Corbell.
The court continued discussion over the vehicles and emergency medical supplies for patrol units.
No action was taken on vehicles and it was said they would be put on the next agenda.
The commissioners discussed seeking requests for bids on a gas generator for the county courthouse to be purchased with American Rescue Plan Act funds. The generator size being considered was a 125KW gas generator.
A motion by Commissioner Bellmyer to seek bids received a second by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain and it carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:42am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Payroll. 3. Shelby County to sponsor a 2025/2026 Community Development Block Grant application through the Texas Department of Agriculture for Paxton Water Supply Corporation. 4. Purchase of six Walkie Talkies for 5 Constables and one Deputy Constable. 5. Contract with Vista Solutions to digitize voter registration records. 6. Request bids on a gas generator for the County Courthouse to be purchased with ARPA funds. 7. Adjourn at 10:42am.
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